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

Applications received

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

Pocknells: An application for a 'halo' illuminated logo on the front of the building, a Mercia Lantern on the front door and main access of the building - with the company logo (blue illumination).

Also, for a projecting sign on the side of the building with the company name and logo.

2. Greggs, 34 High Street, Maldon CM9 5PN

An application for a new fascia sign and an insert for the projecting sign.

3. Stow Hall Farm, Woodham Road, Stow Maries CM3 6SA

Section 73A application for Variation to Planning Approval ref: FUL/MAL/21/00252: the development of 3 detached houses and garages on land at Stow Hall Farm, Woodham Road, Stow Maries.

Variation sought: change of access to Plot 3

Applications approved

1. Kismet Kebabs Limited, adjacent to Milton House, Maldon Road, Latchingdon CM3 6LF

Section 73A application for:

• Ancillary storage (building A)
• Gym/workshop for the site owners (building B)
• Detached factory building (building C)
• Building for demonstrations (building D)
• Single storey front and rear extensions to factory (building E)
• Maintenance and storage building (building E2)
• Covered storage area (building F)
• Sales and staff office
• Containers for product storage
• Cladding to existing buildings
• Entrance gates and fencing
• Hardstanding for parking and turning
• Associated plant and landscaping.

2. Land adjacent to Brickfields Cottage, Green Lane, Burnham-On-Crouch

An application for the erection of a detached chalet bungalow.

3. Creeksea Place Events Limited, Creeksea Place Manor House, Ferry Road, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8PJ

Internal alterations to an existing modern partition and two new doors.

Applications refused

1. Cold Norton County Primary School, 2 St Stephens Road, Cold Norton CM3 6JE

Claim for lawful development certificate for the removal of existing running track to be replaced with an all-weather low maintenance bonded surface.

Reason for refusal:

The proposed all-weather track is considered to be development and would not fall within the tolerance of Class N of Part 7 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended).

2. Outbuilding at Roundbush Farm, Colchester Road, Great Totham

Change of use of the ground floor of an existing outbuilding to Class E(g)(iii) - Commercial, Business, so applicants can operate their beekeeping practice from home and, change of use of the first floor of the outbuilding to Class C3(a) - ancillary and incidental habitable accommodation to the main dwellinghouse, for occasional overnight use.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The evidence submitted is not considered adequate to sufficiently justify the functional need for the proposed development to be provided at this location within the countryside or that the function of the building would be directly linked and ancillary to an existing agricultural use. The development would therefore have an unjustified harmful impact on the countryside and would be contrary to Policies S8, E4 and D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposal would fall within the annexe criterion as detailed within the Specialist Housing Needs SPD. The proposal would not amount to residential annexe accommodation ancillary to the main dwelling house by reason of its siting and separation from the main house, its lack of a functional link and the potential for the site to be sub-divided in the future without a degree of dependency on the main dwelling. Therefore, the development is contrary to policies D1, S8 and H4 of Maldon District Local Development Plan and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3. Hawkins Farm, Hackmans Lane, Cock Clarks CM3 6RE

Outline planning application with all matters reserved for the demolition of existing dwelling and the construction of two dwelling houses.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed development would be remote and disconnected from local services and facilities by reason of its location and would provide poor quality and limited access to sustainable and public transportation, resulting in an increased need of private vehicle ownership. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to policies S1, S2, S8, D1, H4 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. The proposed development would result in a cramped and contrived form of development which would not reflect the spacious pattern of development within the area which would have a harmful impact on the visual amenity to the detriment of the character of the site and surrounding area, contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. The proposed development would result in undue harm to the residential amenity of the future occupiers by reason of direct overlooking from No. 5 Hawkins Close resulting in a loss of privacy to the detriment of the living environment of the future occupiers. The proposal would therefore be contrary to policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
4. The proposal would lead to the intensification of the access along Hackmans Lane. The lack of suitable visibility from the access for both emerging and approaching vehicles would result in an unacceptable degree of hazard to all road users to the detriment of general highway safety. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, policies S1, T1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017).
5. Insufficient information has been provided to fully assess the impact on the trees which are located along the north and east boundaries of the site. It is therefore considered that it has not been demonstrated that there would not be a significantly harmful impact on these trees and the visual amenity of the locality. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies D1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
6. The applicant has failed to supply adequate ecological information which would allow for a full assessment of the impact of the proposed development on European Protected Species (Great Crested Newts and Bats). In the absence of any sufficient ecological information, the proposal is considered to conflict with the Policy N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
7. 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, D1, I1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the NPPF.