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

Applications received

1. Osea Leisure Park, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge CM9 4SA

An application for the construction of a new open terrace.

2. The Limes Guest House, 21 Market Hill, Maldon

Retrospective application for regularisation of existing buildings and site for planning breaches.

• Four CCTV cameras, 10 external lights to main buildings
• One external CCTV screen with box surround
• Two air conditioning units with a timber fence surround
• Creation of a fenced bin enclosure
• Relocation of external timber outbuilding and use as an office with external lighting attached
• External fencing surrounding office with timber decking entrance
• Installation of a timber shed behind existing annex (used for refrigerator/store)
• External lighting to annex building
• Pergola fixed to neighbour's dividing boundary wall and outbuilding
• Internal front bedroom used for walk-in refrigerator
• Use of office as a bedroom
• Internally-run air conditioning pipes
• Installation of an axial flow fan plate
• Two commercial kitchen flues
• Removal of an internal kitchen wall

3. The Blue Boar Hotel, Silver Street, Maldon

An application to:

• Reduce chimney height from original
• Replace missing roof tiles from storm damage with salvaged slate tiles to match existing
• Internal repairs to walls and ceilings, and replacement of internally-damaged timbers

4. The Queen's Head, 1 The Hythe, Maldon CM9 5HN

Variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) on approved planning permission 22/00232/FUL.

'Ricci umbrella' retractable canopy structure on rear terrace.

5. Aquatic, Pet and Reptile Centre, 133 High Street, Maldon

An application for the change of use of the ground floor area from a current commercial unit to a nail parlour.

6. Land adjacent to Theedhams Farm, Steeple Road, Southminster

An application for change of use from an industrial site to seven flats with associated open space/allotments.

Applications approved

1. Mansion House Residential Home, Burnham Road, Althorne CM3 6DR

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Wellingtonia) - Reduce height by 1.5 metres and reshape north, west and east side of canopy by 1.5 metres.

To safeguard the health and appearance of the tree.

2. Police Office, 49-51 Station Road, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8HF

Flying of the ''Progress Pride Flag'' from the existing flag pole at Burnham Marine Unit.

3. 30 Walden House Road Great Totham Essex CM9 8PN

Use of garage as annexe accommodation to be occupied by a dependant relative in conjunction with occupation of dwelling.

Applications refused

1. Tesco Extra, Fullbridge, Maldon

Application for a modification to Section 106 legal agreement executed under planning application FUL/MAL/99/00459 - the Tesco free bus.

Reason for refusal:

• In the absence of data demonstrating that there is no demand for the bus service, and as a result of the application of the wrong test, insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that there is no longer a useful purpose served by the obligations subject of the Unilateral Undertaking dated 18 February 2009 and the supplemental Unilateral Undertaking dated 18 December 2009, and that the obligation would serve that purpose equally well if it had effect subject to the modifications specified in the application.

For more information on the free bus, click here.

2. Fowler Bros Latchingdon Limited, Brook Farm, Marsh Road, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8LZ

New purpose-built retail unit including relocation of existing butchers shop and other ancillary uses with ancillary parking and servicing facilities.

Reasons for refusal:

• The proposed development would result in a retail space that would not be considered ancillary to the wider use of the site as an abattoir. It has not been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that there is a justifiable and functional need for the retail provision on the application site or 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 core planning principles and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework, the National Planning Practice Guidance and policies E2 and E4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and one of the key principles of the Burnham-on-Crouch Neighbourhood Plan.
• The application site lies within a rural location. The proposed development, by reason of the siting, scale, design and associated hardstanding, would result in an urban form of development that fails to protect or enhance the character and appearance of the rural area. Furthermore, the proposed built form results in an unwelcome visual intrusion into the countryside to the detriment of the character and appearance of the rural area. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to policies S1, S8 and D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3. Boat Building Yard, Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin

Demolition of existing buildings and construction of four two-bedroomed residential dwellings with associated hard and soft landscaping works.

Reasons for refusal:

• The site is located in a 'smaller village' where access to everyday services and facilities by the occupiers of the proposed development, other than by means of a private car, would be limited. The future occupiers would therefore be dependent on the use of unsustainable modes of transport as a result of the development being in an unsustainable location, contrary to Policies T1, T2 and S8 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
• The proposed residential development would result in the loss of employment land. Insufficient justification or evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the present use and activity significantly harms the character and amenity of the adjacent area, the proposed use would be of greater benefit to the local community or that the continuous use of the site for employment purposes is no longer viable. The development would therefore have an adverse impact on the limited supply of employment generating land, contrary to policy E1 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework.
• The application site is located in tidal Flood Zone 3a which has the highest risk of flooding and the proposal is for new dwellings which have a high vulnerability to flooding. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposal complies with the Sequential Test as there is land available within the District for housing development at a lower risk of flooding. Furthermore, the Flood Risk Assessment submitted does not demonstrate that the building would be safe for its occupants and the requirements of the Exceptions Test have not been met. Therefore, the development is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, the National Planning Practice Guidance, and Policy D5 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan.
• 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 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, I1, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the NPPF.