See below for this week's key planning applications in the Maldon District, received or decided on by the Council.

Applications received

1. Winterdale Manor Enterprise Centre, Southminster Road, Althorne

Erection of commercial building consisting of five units for use class E purposes and accessible toilet. New cycle parking area (to replace that previously approved by application FUL/MAL/22/00126). New refuse and recyclable storage area and fence (to replace that previously approved by application FUL/MAL/22/00126). Alteration to parking area (revision to application FUL/MAL/22/00126). New area of hardstanding to south of new building.

2. Land south of Keelings Road, Dengie

Erection of a 19-megawatt Solar PV Array, comprising ground mounted solar PV panels, with co-located five-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS), vehicular access from Keelings Road, internal access tracks, landscaping and associated infrastructure including security fencing, CCTV cameras, and grid connection infrastructure including transformers, substation compound buildings and cabling route to the point of connection

3. Land rear of 53 and 55 Broad Street Green Road, Great Totham

Nine detached dwellings and garage annexes together with associated drainage infrastructure, vehicular access, roads, parking and landscaping.

4. Land south of 97 South Street, Tillingham

Residential development for 10 dwellings, formation of new vehicular and pedestrian access, associated open space, parking and landscaping.

Applications approved

1. Limebrook Trade Centre, Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon

Variation of conditions 2 (approved drawings) and 19 (no additional floorspace) on approved planning permission 21/00339/FUL (Erection of a mixed-use development comprising Class B2 (including autocentre with vehicle repair, MOT testing, servicing and associated operations) and/or specified Sui Generis uses and Class E (drive-thru coffee shop) uses together with access, servicing, car parking and associated works.)

Plans for a 'major redevelopment' of the former Quest Motors site were approved by Maldon District Council in 2021.

2. Police Station, West Square, Maldon CM9 5PA

Advertisement consent for one non-illuminated 'Halo Logo' to front elevation and one projecting sign on the side of the building with company name and logo.

3. 8 Buckleys Close, Wickham Bishops, Witham CM8 3PA

Erection of two-storey rear extension and infill of existing passageway.

4. House of Delight 180-184 High Street, Maldon CM9 5BX

Replacement shop front (Bi-fold and new entrance doors) and windows at first floor level, new render at the first floor and the creation of external dining area.

Applications refused

1. Bella's Italian Bistro, 80 High Street, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8AA

S73A retrospective application for the removal rotten timber windows and replacement with UPVC windows.

Reason for refusal:

1. The proposed development, due to the use of unsympathetic materials to the fenestration, has resulted in detrimental harm to the character and appearance of the building, the streetscene and the surrounding conservation area. The proposed retention of the windows would therefore be contrary to policies D1, D3 and H4 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. Land adjacent Falcon Hall, Little Totham Road, Goldhanger

Proposed works to the outbuilding to form annexe accommodation to Falcon Hall (Grade II listed building), change of use from agricultural to dwelling house (Class C3) and Internal partition walls to form two bedrooms, bathroom, garden room, store room and a gym with a shower room.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The application fails to demonstrate that the proposal falls within the annexe criteria as detailed within the Council's Specialist Housing Needs SPD (2018), particularly as the annexe contains all facilities for independent living, that no clear functional link with the main dwelling has been demonstrated, the annexe has been provided with its own garden terrace and could be provided with its own private amenity space and curtilage, and that the development would not be an integral part of the dwelling in the future. Therefore, the proposal is considered to be contrary to Policies D1, S8 and H4 of the Maldon District Council Local Development Plan (2017), the Maldon District Specialist Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document (2018), and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. The application site lies within a rural location outside of the defined settlement boundary of Goldhanger, where policy restraints apply. The proposed development, with its associated terrace, parking, and domestic paraphernalia would be highly visible at the street scene and within the open countryside. The change would result in the over intensification of a domestic urban nature and would result in the loss of the second character of the site. This would adversely impact on the intrinsic character and beauty of the open countryside and would cause harm to the character and appearance of the site's rural setting. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, H4, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

3. Land adjacent to Grange Cottage, The Street, Steeple

An application for a new detached house.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposal is considered to represent a cramped and contrived form of development which would be out of keeping with the pattern of development in the area. Given the prominent location and visibility of the site from Maldon Road and Canney Road, this would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the site, the immediate neighbouring dwellings, the street scene and the surrounding area. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, D1 and H4 of the Maldon Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance contained within the Maldon District Design Guide (2017) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. Insufficient information has been submitted to support the proposal in terms of the potential impact on designated sites, European Protected Species and Protected Species. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, which should also include a Preliminary Roost Assessment and suggested biological enhancement measures, is required. This information is needed to enable the Local Planning Authority to demonstrate compliance with its statutory duties, including its biodiversity duty under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and prevent wildlife crime under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, D1, H4, N1 and N2 of the Maldon Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the necessary financial contribution towards the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy has not been secured. As a result, the development would have an adverse impact on the European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

4. Holyrood Lodge, Green Lane, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8PU

• T2 - London Plane - cut ivy band, reduce height by 4m, tip prune on west side to give building 3m clearance.
• T4 - London Plane - cut ivy band, reduce over extended limb on west side by up to 3m, reduce height by 3m.
• T5 - Chestnut - cut back lower branches to clear all buildings by 3m.
• T6 - Lime - reduce height by 3m, reduce over extended limb on west side by up to 4m.
• T7 - Chestnut - reduce crown on west side only by up to 4m.
• T8 - London Plane-remove dead and deceased from crown, cut ivy band, tip prune east side by up to 2m, tip prune west side by up to 3m, tip prune lower limbs to give 3m clearance off of buildings, reduce height by 4m.
• T9 - Chestnut - cut ivy band, remove dead and disease from crown, reduce crown on west side by 2m, tip prune to clear any buildings by 3m. T10-Pine - cut ivy band, remove dead wood.

Reason for refusal:

1. The proposed works are considered to be excessive. If carried out the works would result in a negative impact upon the health of the affected tree and the associated amenity value of the trees may be lost in the future to the detriment of the area. Furthermore, there has been no justification provided for the proposed works.

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