Controversial plans for 25 homes in a village near Maldon have been thrown out by the Government after concerns about the suitability of the location.

The planning inspectorate has dismissed an appeal brought by developer Landvest Development Limited against the decision of Maldon Council to refuse plans for the homes at land off Head Street, Goldhanger – a village north of Maldon.

The proposals were controversial, with more than 170 objections as well as concerns being raised by Goldhanger Parish Council and Dame Priti Patel, Tory MP for Witham. The planning inspectorate raised concerns about the location, distance from services and other matters. 

The planning inspectorate decision states: "Having carefully considered all the evidence, I attribute all the public benefits significant weight when considered cumulatively. However, I do not consider that this significant weight amounts to a consideration of such materiality that it outweighs the conflict with the development plan, which attracts substantial weight as set out above.

"I have found that the proposed development would be located away from services and facilities, with limited choice in transport options and employment opportunities. As a result, the appeal site would not represent a sustainable pattern of growth, limiting the need to travel while offering a genuine choice of transport modes. I place substantial weight on this harm.

"In conclusion, the proposed development would not represent an appropriate location for the proposed dwellings with regard to access to services and facilities. "

Following the appeal decision, Dame Priti Patel MP said: "Goldhanger residents and the parish council have come together and put forward strong, robust and compelling grounds to demonstrate why a new development on the scale proposed was unacceptable and unsustainable. I pay tribute to their hard work and campaigning to secure this result. With its rural location and minimal access to services, Goldhanger is not a suitable location for a development like this, and I welcome the decision taken to throw out this appeal. While we need new housing for local families, applications like these undermine public confidence in the planning system.

 "Labour wants to bulldoze over our countryside, which means more small villages like Goldhanger will be threatened with large and inappropriate developments. The sight of the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, boasting about ignoring the concerns of local communities is causing anger and upset across rural Essex."