A battle since 1994 to build new homes on land at Granger Avenue has ended, after a developer's appeal to overturn Maldon District Council's refusal of a recent bid was allowed by a planning inspector.

Millen Homes initially submitted an application in February last year to build two semi-detached three-bedroom homes on land adjacent to 7 Granger Avenue, which is currently vacant.

A statement submitted with the plans says the homes "would make a modest but meaningful contribution to the council's housing delivery, which is currently below five years, and help meet its identified need for this size dwelling".

It adds: "The proposed units are designed to use sustainable off-site construction methods, renewable energy technologies and benefit from biodiversity enhancements."

The proposal also includes planting trees and native planting to "encourage biodiversity and help reduce surface flooding".

But, refusing the application in April last year, planning officers at the district council said the homes "would result in a cramped and contrived form of development which would not be in keeping with the character of the area".

Officers also raised concerns about overlooking from the first-floor rear windows and the absence of a financial contribution or mitigation strategy to "overcome the impacts of the development on the European designated nature conservation sites".

The application also received three letters of objection from residents, who cited concerns about the site being "cramped" and "overbearing on neighbours".

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Since being refused planning permission from the council, however, Millen Homes has made a contribution towards the Essex Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy.

Overturning the council's initial refusal of the proposal, a planning inspector said: "One of the council's reasons for its refusal of planning permission related to the need for mitigation in respect of the proposed development's potential impact on nearby sites of international importance for nature conservation."

The inspector continued: "In the light of this secured mitigation, the council has now confirmed that it no longer wishes to pursue this refusal reason.

"In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the development would have no likely significant effect on any protected site."

The inspector said the homes "would give rise to no unacceptable impacts on living conditions, at either the existing or proposed dwellings, by reason of overlooking or in any other way".

There have been a total of eight applications - including Millen Homes' now-successful bid - to build new homes on the land since 1994.