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

Applications received

1. Barclays Bank, 60 High Street, Maldon CM9 5PR

Removal of existing external signage. Removal of night safe. Existing aperture to be covered by a new metal plate to match the existing entrance door colour. Removal of existing ATM. Existing glazing replaced with new.

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

Retrospective application for change of use of premises from tea rooms to restaurant; use of patio area and existing outbuilding as a dining facility including alterations to fenestration and installation of toilet facilities at first floor level within the outbuilding.

3. Roundbush Farm, Colchester Road, Great Totham

Change of use of the ground floor of an existing outbuilding to Class E(g)(iii) - Commercial, Business, for honey production, storage and office space; and, change of use of the first floor of the outbuilding to Class C3(a) - ancillary habitable accommodation to the main dwellinghouse.

4. Land North of Latchingdon Bowls Club, Burnham Road, Latchingdon

Variation of condition 2 on approved planning permission 16/00299/FUL (Full planning application for (1) the development of 41 homes, amenity space and a revised vehicular access from the Burnham Road, and (2) a new village hall and associated infrastructure, (no change is proposed to the existing village hall access)) to include solar panels to the roof.

Applications approved

1. The Kings Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon

Proposed change of use of units 11 and 12-14a from retail use to a Deli/Bar and takeaway with external seating.

2. Community of St John The Baptist, The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights CM9 8EZ

An application for a new chapel building has been approved.

Applications refused

1. Land Between 45 Steeple Road and 1 Mill Road, Mayland

Application for erection of detached dwelling with associated access and landscaping.

Reasons for refusal:

• The proposed dwelling, as a result of its design, scale and bulk, would result in an incongruous and dominant development which would cause significant and undue harm to the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the Maldon District Design Guide.
• In the absence of a satisfactory completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, securing a necessary financial contribution towards Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy or an appropriate mitigation strategy to overcome the impacts of the development on the European designated nature conservation sites, the development would have an adverse impact on those European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1, and I1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. Hillcrest, Fambridge Road, Althorne CM3 6DB

Close one existing site access and widen another existing site access including new fencing, gates, hedging and enlargement of parking area for a private dwelling.

Reason for refusal:

The proposed fence and gates, due to their length, height, design, loss of existing established vegetation and siting in close proximity to the highway and within a rural area would represent a visually incongruous and obtrusive form of development resulting in an urbanising effect which would detract from the character and appearance of the rural area contrary to policies S1, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan, and Government advice contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.