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

Applications received

1. Land north of Mangapps Railway Museum, Southminster Road, Burnham-On-Crouch

Caliber Homes Limited: Outline planning application with all matters reserved except for layout and access for the Construction 250 dwellings and 54 units of Keyworker/NHS accommodation.

Erect shops, lay out estate roads, footpaths, vehicle parking and surface water drainage infrastructure - including swales and detention basins.

Extend footpath to south along B1021 Southminster Road, form open spaces and lay out hard and soft landscaping.

2. Land at Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road and Maypole Road, Great Totham

Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd: Reserved matters application for the approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout & scale for erection of three brick-built electricity substations together with associated hard and soft landscaping and a service layby pursuant to planning application 15/00419/OUT (now the Westcombe Park development) allowed on appeal APP/X1545/W/19/3230267.

3. 4A Market Hill, Maldon

An application for the change of use to a 'martial arts' centre.

Applications approved

1. Land north of Marsh Road, Burnham-On-Crouch

Application for non-material amendment following grant of Planning Permission 19/01208/FUL: residential development comprising the construction of 90 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), public open space, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

Amendment sought: changes to the south-east section of the approved development, specifically re-locating the block of flats slightly further south and associated changes.

Plans for the 90-home development were greenlit by Maldon District Council in December 2021.

2. Advertising Board, Heybridge Garden Village, Langford Road, Heybridge

Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd: Advertisement consent for freestanding pole mounted non-illuminated sign for a temporary period.

3. Grove House, 2 Chantry Grove, Wickham Bishops CM8 3FP

Claim for lawful development certificate for a proposed single storey rear/side extension.

Applications refused

1. Swingfield Family Golf Centre, Steeple Road, Latchingdon CM3 6LD

Demolition of the existing golf centre (Class Use E(d)) and the erection of 3 no. dwellings (Class Use C3(a)).

Reasons for refusal:

1. The site is outside of a defined Settlement Boundary and is in open countryside. There is no footpath provided at the front of the site to connect the site to a nearby settlement or bus stop. The adjacent highway is unlit, with a speed limit of 60 miles per hour. Future occupants of the site would therefore be heavily reliant on the use of the car to access everyday facilities and services, and the proposal therefore does not provide a sustainable form of development. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, H4, T1 and T2 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. Insufficient information has been provided to justify the loss of a community / leisure facility and that an alternative use is not viable. This is contrary to Policy E1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. The proposal, by virtue of the introduction of domestic paraphernalia, formation of front and rear domestic gardens and the overall residential appearance of the site would fail to protect and enhance the character and appearance of the rural area and would result in an unwelcome visual intrusion into the countryside. The development would be out of keeping and to the detriment of the intrinsic beauty and character of the rural area. This is contrary to Policies S1, S2, S8, D1 and H4 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).
4. 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, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

2. 14 Roots Lane, Wickham Bishops CM8 3LS

Proposed two storey front, side and rear extension to dwelling house including building over existing single storey attached garage. Widening of existing vehicular drop kerb access.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The side extension proposed, by reason of its location, design, bulk and height, would be a visually incongruous and cramped addition which would cause harm to the character and appearance of the existing dwelling and the streetscene, contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. The proposed development, due to the depth and height of the two storey side extension proposed and its proximity to the boundary of the site, would have an overbearing impact on the occupiers of the neighbouring dwelling (No.16 Roots Lane) and, therefore, would be an unneighbourly form of development to the detriment of the amenity of the occupiers of this neighbouring property, contrary to the stipulations of Policy D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3. Caxton Pride, Hackmans Lane, Cock Clarks CM3 6RE

First floor front extension over existing garage and alterations to garage doors.

Reason for refusal:

The proposed first floor extension, as a result of its design, size and siting fails to reference the architectural style, symmetry and character of the original dwelling and neighbouring property and so would appear as a prominent, incongruous and contrived addition which would be detrimental to the character and appearance of both the existing dwelling and the surrounding area, contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

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