"WHOLLY inappropriate" plans for 55 new homes in a Mid Essex village, next to a school, have been refused after "serious concerns" were raised. 

Rosconn Group is proposing the development opposite Westerings, Purleigh and next to Purleigh Community Primary School on open grassland. There are two separate and identical applications for the development at the site, and the developer has lodged an appeal, claiming the council has taken too long to decide on the plans.

Maldon District Council's north-western area planning committee discussed the plans on October 9. The meeting heard about there are concerns around parking, safety of students and residents and about roads. The meeting chairman told the committee the reasons for refusing the plans would be announced at a later meeting.

Elizabeth Johns, Purleigh parish councillor, told the meeting: "Purleigh Parish Council strongly recommends refusal of both of these applications. These proposals are wholly inappropriate for our parish and will conflict with the Maldon Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

They would cause unacceptable harm to the character, appearance and rural setting of our village. The parish council also has serious concerns about highways safety so close to a primary school, drainage and a lack of local infrastructure to support developments of this nature and size."

A worried resident said villagers are in "strong opposition to this application."

He added: "This proposal places significant strain on public services and outdated infrastructure. We challenge the report submitted by the service providers.

"Sewage infrastructure is already overburdened, spilling into the Blackwater and land, and utilities such as water, power and internet are stretched to capacity. Construction would cause further risk, posing unacceptable danger to pupils and residents."  

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Loud applause, from a busy public gallery, filled the room after the resident's passionate speech.

A spokesman for the developer said: "As set out in the committee report, independent considerations of the local landscape confirm that any associated impacts of the proposals would be localised and not result in substantial harm.

"As confirmed within the committee report the financial contributions, including towards healthcare, highways and education, are agreed with these important contributions ensuring improvements to supporting infrastructure as a result of these proposals."