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

Applications received

1. Land At Brook Farm House, Marsh Road, Burnham-On-Crouch

Replacement of an existing farm butcher's and associated parking facilities

2. Roe Environmental Limited, The Old Engine Shed Station Road, Maldon CM9 4LQ

Mr and Mrs J Purdy: Demolition of existing buildings on site and formation of one building comprising 10 Office Units and 20 two-bedroom apartments with associated access, parking, refuse stores, landscaping and amenity area.

3. Xtreme Fitness Gym Limited, Unit 19, West Station Yard, Spital Road, Maldon CM9 6TR

Demolish existing single storey commercial unit, remove container/ramp and construct two semi-detached commercial/light industrial units with general parking to the frontage.

Applications approved

1. Land Opposite St Margaret's Church, Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer CM9 6SN

Erection of a crematorium with ceremony hall, memorial arboretum and associated use of land, restoration of Coopers Monument, vehicular access, parking, landscaping, pedestrian crossing and diversion of footpath.

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

Removal of condition 2 of planning permission 97/00775/FUL (Extension of opening time from March 1 to November 30) to allow all year round holiday use of land as a caravan site.

3. The King's Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon

Proposed part change of use of units 16 and 17 from retail use (Class E) to a Deli / Bar and takeaway (Sui Generis)

Applications refused

1. Land Adjacent Falcon Hall, Little Totham Road, Goldhanger

Proposed works to the outbuilding within the curtilage of Falcon Hall (Grade II building). Change of use from agricultural to dwellinghouse class C3.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed development is located outside of a defined settlement boundary and is in open countryside. The site is not considered to be in an accessible location and does not promote sustainable travel. Furthermore, by virtue of the domestication and urbanisation of the site, which is readily visible across the surrounding landscape, the proposed development is considered to appear as an incongruous form of development that is out of keeping and will erode the intrinsic beauty of the open countryside. The principle of development has, therefore, been found to be unacceptable. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, H4, T1, T2 and D2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Maldon District Design Guide (2017), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. The application site lies within a rural location outside of the defined settlement boundary of Goldhanger, where policy restraints apply. The proposed development, with its associated garden land, parking area and domestic paraphernalia, would be highly visible at the street scene and within the open countryside. The change would result in the over intensification of a domestic urban nature and would result in the loss of the second character of the site. This would adversely impact on the intrinsic character and beauty of the open countryside and would cause harm to the character and appearance of the site's rural setting. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. 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 the 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, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

2. Land At Howells Lake, Poplar Grove Chase, Great Totham

Temporary rural workers dwelling and erection of agricultural building and yard.

Reason for refusal:

1. Insufficient information has been submitted with regard to hard and soft landscaping; car parking and access; and tree and hedgerow retention and protection. As such, the Local Planning Authority is not able to ensure the development is not intrusive to the open countryside, can be designed to minimise any adverse impacts on the character and appearance of the rural area, and is acceptable when considered against other planning requirements. The principle of development is therefore not acceptable, and the proposal is contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, T2 and H7 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

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