Persimmon Homes has won on appeal to build new homes in Heybridge after initial pushback from the council.

An application for 281 dwellings on Broad Street Green Road, including affordable homes and bungalows, formation of new vehicular and pedestrian access, and open space, has been given permission to go ahead.

Maldon District Council originally refused the application in February 2024. The developer has now been granted permission to begin the build after the council's decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate. 

As part of the development, Persimmon has promised to invest £1,074,000 in primary schools, £986,000 in secondary education, £139,300 in NHS services, £21,861 in library services, and £46,044 to Essex Coast RAMS.

Inspector David Rose's report said: "It is evident that the proposals would deliver a range of important benefits that would be consistent with the Government's overarching aim to deliver sustainable development and to significantly boost the supply of new homes.

"In terms of the economic objective of sustainable development, the proposals would provide employment opportunities, including local recruitment, during the construction phase."

The decision comes after major changes to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024, which meant mandatory housing targets for council's across the UK increased.

In Maldon, the new method proposed a 97% increase in annual housing targets in the town, reflecting the goal to build 544 homes a year. This meant the council could no longer demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply to the Inspectorate as they could when they originally rejected the Heybridge application. 

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Essex said: "We are delighted to see this scheme approved, allowing us to provide high-quality, new housing solutions for local people in Heybridge.

"This is an exciting project for the area and one that will bring huge benefits for the wider community in Maldon district, with half of these new homes being transferred to a local housing association partner to directly address the council's housing waiting list."