Maldon District Council (MDC) has approved a proposal to build a home on a Mayland field, despite MDC planning officers recommending refusal of the application.

Members of MDC's south eastern area planning committee voted to approve the application last night (Wednesday, 18 August), saying that the dwelling is planned for a sustainable location and will cause no harm as it cannot be seen clearly from the public footpath.

The plans involve the construction of a two-bedroom self-build bungalow on Nipsells Chase to the north of the settlement boundary of Mayland.

An MDC planning officer told the committee: "Due to the inaccessible and unsustainable location of the site and its impact on the character of the rural area, the proposal is considered to be contrary to the guidance contained within the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework] and the LDP [Local Development Plan]."

Planning officers also raised concerns that approving the proposal on the basis of sustainability could set a "dangerous precedent" for future planning decisions.

Matt Leigh, MDC's chief planning officer, said: "Making a decision that says that walking along an unlit footpath is a sustainable location for this sort of distance I think would be a dangerous precedent."

Requesting approval, the applicant said: "Mayland is one of only four sustainable villages in the entire district - a 10-minute walk from the doctors, a Nisa store, pharmacy, post office, hairdressers and schools."

Moving to propose approval of the plans, Councillor Michael Helm said: "My grandfather used to own Nipsells Farm and Mayland was my playground.

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"The orchard from Bramley Way through past the site was all owned by Mr Blake who used to walk around in black welly boots, blue overalls and a trilby hat, so I remember that quite well."

He said: "Dustcarts must go down [Nipsells Chase], Morrisons and Tesco's deliveries all go down there and I used to cycle over Mayland from one side of Mill Road right the way through - just like that, easily.

"I would recommend against the council officers' recommendation and approve this site."

Councillor Nick Skeens pointed to protecting the rural character of the area.

He said: "I think if we get into the habit of allowing single dwellings in remote areas to occur, we're going to get a lot more of them and we're going to have a lot of trouble controlling it."

He added: "Of course, the hypocrisy of that situation, as some would view it, comes into play when a large development is allowed - not here but in other rural areas - and we refuse the smaller ones.

"But I take the point that others have made that if you allow a lot of smaller ones, that can create as many problems as allowing one larger one."

Councillor Wendy Stamp, leader of MDC, said: "I don't think it can be seen, and I think that Mayland is actually a growing village whether we like it or not - like many other villages and towns in our district."

She added: "I think you only have to drive around our district to see many houses in the middle of fields."

Councillor Helms' proposal to approve the application contrary to the officers' recommendation was voted through and seconded by Councillor Brian Beale, with four councillors for, one against and two abstentions.