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

Applications received

1. The Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, Blue House Farm, Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge CM3 6GU

Variation of condition 14 (timing of construction works) on approved planning permission 20/00638/FUL: Construction of an earth bund measuring 2,140m around the perimeter of the site (0.5m high and 4m wide) and approximately 3000m of foot drains/ditches around the site and through the site (3m wide and 0.5m deep). Twelve shallow scrapes approximately 2,500m2 each with a maximum depth of 0.5m. Break-up agricultural land drains at the edge of the site. Construction of concrete, boarded sluice.

2. The Go-Ahead Group Plc, 62 New Road, Tollesbury CM9 8RE

Proposed development of 17 one, two and three-bedroom dwellings -including access, landscaping and associated works

3. Bell Meadow Playing Field, Church Hill, Woodham Walter

Ash tree - Remove large dead branch overhanging field. Oak tree - Remove small dead branches overhanging field. Various - Remove two dead trees. Oak & Ash trees - Remove dead branches overhanging the field.

4. Former Veterinary Surgery, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh

An application for change of use to the former veterinary surgery, along with extensions, to form a dental practice.

Applications approved

1. Red Lyons Farm, Burnham Road, Latchingdon

Advertisement consent for one freestanding externally illuminated directory board sign.

2. Venice Gelato and Coffee, 102B High Street, Maldon CM9 5ET

Section 73A application for the change of use of unit 102C from E(a) retail to E(b) restaurant use and to merge with unit 102B High Street (currently E(b) use) to form a single restaurant. Replace the frontages with aluminium windows and doors across the front of both buildings.

A retrospective planning application. SALT, a new Italian restaurant, is expected to open in the next couple of months.

3. The Grange Retreat Boarding Kennels, Tudwick Road, Tolleshunt Major CM9 8LP

Single storey extension to and change of use of stables to kennel day stay facility.

Applications refused

1. 47A Western Road, Burnham-On-Crouch, CM0 8JG

Loft conversion with dormer window and flush rooflights.

Reasons for Refusal:

1. The proposed development, due to the loss of the original chimney, the relatively large size of the proposed dormer and the resulting unbalanced composition would detract from the building's traditional character which would result in some moderate harm to the character of this part of the conservation area and the surrounding area, contrary to policies D1 and D3 of the Local Development Plan as well as guidance contained within the NPPF and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. There are no public benefits that would outweigh this harm.
2. The proposed development does not include provision of on-site car parking which is likely to result in on-street parking in the local area potentially causing conditions of obstruction, congestion and danger to residents and other road users, contrary to policies D1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan.

2. Mill Beach Resorts Limited, Mill Beach Caravan Park, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge CM9 4RF

Two storey side extension to The Beach House restaurant and extension to decking, with associated infrastructure.

Reasons for Refusal:

1. The extension, as a result of its size, height and design, would be a visually dominant and incongruous addition to the existing building and the surrounding area, to the detriment of the character and appearance of the host building and the surrounding area, contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1 and E5 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the NPPF.
2. The proposed development would make insufficient provision of on-site car parking which is likely to result in on-street parking to the detriment of pedestrian and highway safety and the free flow of traffic within the area, contrary to policies D1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan.
3. The development is located within Flood Zone 3 (high risk) and no flood proofing measures are proposed. Therefore, the proposal poses an unacceptable flood risk, contrary to Policy D5 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the NPPF.

3. Barn north of Langford Hall, Witham Road, Langford

Restoration and conversion of a historic grade II listed Cartlodge to form an on-site house for the resident of Langford Hall.

Reason for Refusal:

The application fails to demonstrate that the proposal falls within the annexe criteria as detailed within the Specialist Housing Needs SPD including a functional link between the proposed development and the main dwelling, not being located within the curtilage of the main dwelling, that the proposed development could be used at a later date as an integral part of the main dwelling and there would be a separate boundary between the proposed development and the main dwelling. Therefore, the development is contrary to policies D1 and H4 of Maldon District Local Development Plan and guidance contained within the Specialist Needs Housing SPD and the National Planning Policy Framework.

4. The Granary, Chigborough Farm, Chigborough Road, Little Totham

Section 73A Change of Use of an existing rural building to a restaurant and associated parking.

Reasons for Refusal:

1. The development is for a restaurant, which is classed as a 'town centre use' outside of an existing town, village, or located employment area. By virtue of the scale of the restaurant provided (40 no. covers), it is not considered to be ancillary to the wider farm operating at the site. Furthermore, it has not been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that there is a justifiable and functional need for the activity within this rural location and that it could not have been reasonably located in existing towns, villages or allocated employment areas. Therefore, the development would be contrary to Policies E2 and E4 of the Maldon District Development Plan (2017), the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021) and the core planning principles and guidance in the National Planning Practice Guidance.
2. The proposed development would fail to provide adequate on-site parking provision. The proposal would therefore be likely to cause additional on-street parking, to the detriment of the free flow of traffic and highway safety. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, D1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Council's Vehicle Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (2018) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. By virtue of the location of the associated car park, safe access to the building the subject of this report cannot be safely achieved by visitors and staff at the site. Visitors and staff would be required to access the building via a narrow and unlit section of highway that is not served by an established footway and this is to the detriment of highway safety. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy S1, D1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Council's Vehicle Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (2018) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
4. Insufficient information has been provided to show how biodiversity may be impacted by the development proposal and if required, the mitigation measures that could take place to prevent any associated harm. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy E4 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).