PLANS to demolish an outbuilding and put up four one-bedroom homes on land off Bright's Path in Maldon have been approved by the Planning Inspector on appeal.

The application to build the 'almshouse type dwellings' on land to the rear of 63 to 65 High Street was refused by Maldon District Council in July 2020, but in a decision published on Monday (23 August), Inspector David Spencer overturned the decision to give the go-ahead, subject to conditions.

Applicant Mark Salisbury has applied for costs for the appeal from Maldon District Council, but that will be the subject of a separate Planning Inspectorate decision.

Reasons for the original refusal included concerns over the homes providing reasonable living conditions for future occupants and issues with regard to access and proposed car-free occupancy of the scheme and its effects on highway safety in that part of the town centre.

However, in his conclusion, the Inspector said: "I have found that the appeal proposal would provide appropriate living conditions for future occupants and that generally the scheme would provide an appropriate standard of accommodation for elderly persons.

"There is clear evidence of a need for both smaller housing units (one to two bedrooms) and homes for elderly persons in the district.

"I am also satisfied that the appeal proposal could be adequately accessed. A condition requiring details of secure mobility scooter and bicycle storage would further militate in favour of the appeal proposal in terms of ensuring the site is genuinely accessible and suitable for its intended occupation."