Plans to build four new chalet-style bungalows in a controversial area of the Maldon district have been revealed.

Mrs P Green hopes to build two two-bedroom bungalows and two three-bedroom bungalows on vacant land to the rear of Mill Farm at Stoney Hills, which is an unmade road in Burnham.

A statement submitted with the application says: "The Stoney Hills area is recognised by planning officers and inspectors as a suburban area suitable for new residential development.

"The site does not form any part of Stoney Hills' definitive edge with the countryside and has a very low impact on the setting."

But previous development in the area has attracted controversy, including an application to build eight new bungalows - approved in September - which received 41 letters of objection from residents.

Many of the letters raised concern about overdevelopment, pollution and safety as they said Stoney Hills had become "dangerous" due to its current volume of traffic.

One resident said: "Stoney Hills is a narrow single track road with no passing places or footpath.

"It has become dangerous for residents to walk along, as well as children to walk to school."

Speaking at a Maldon District Council planning committee meeting on the application in September, Councillor Nick Skeens said: "I have a major problem with Stoney Hills - the way it's been developed has caused a lot of stress to the people living there and a lot of stress on the town."

Burnham town councillors agreed to request give way signage at the junction between Stoney Hills and Mill Road last Tuesday (15 February), after hearing residents' safety fears.

Councillor Wendy Stamp told members that she receives "so many emails from people saying they're taking their lives into their hands" at the junction.

The latest application includes eight new parking spaces.

The homes would be accessed by the Mill Farm entrance, which is 75 metres from the junction with Mill Road.

The statement with the plans says: "This is the shortest distance of all the dwellings in Stoney Hills.

"The proposal will therefore create only a very minor intensification of the use of Stoney Hills as a whole. The existing driveway will be used for access to the new dwellings."

It adds: "The cumulative effect of past planning permissions has been to increase the suburban character of Stoney Hills and this has been acknowledged by planners and inspectors."

It continues: "The accompanying application seeks to infill a remaining gap in the suburban area."

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.

READ MORE:

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