The Maldon Society has urged residents to submit their comments over plans to build 275 homes on farmland near Maldon Cemetery.

A public exhibition is set to take place this Wednesday (July 12) at the West Maldon Community Centre, from 2pm until 8pm. LSL Partners, in conjunction with Hopkins Homes, are bringing forward proposals to build a neighbourhood with supporting amenities and modifications to the existing transport infrastructure.

The Maldon Society says previous attempts to develop the farmland adjacent to the A414 bypass were rejected. A planning application for 340 dwellings was submitted in November 2014 and refused by Maldon District Council in December 2015.

At the time, planning officials described the site as being in a "sensitive rural location outside of the defined settlement boundary for Maldon, where policies of restraint apply."

Plans were refused over concerns the development would have an "unacceptably intrusive urbanising effect upon the site" and would "adversely affecting the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside". It also failed to meet the affordable housing provision required by the District.

In a statement, LSL Partners' Daniel Cavanagh said the company was established "with the aim of helping build homes and communities that people want to live in".

"They need to be planned, designed and delivered with quality and sustainability as central guiding principles, ensuring that high environmental and living standards are achieved."

Residents have also raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed neighbourhood to Maldon Cemetery, and about how the new homes will affect traffic in the town.

The developer requests that comments are submitted by Monday 31 July. Comments can be submitted via email or by calling 0800 232 1794.

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