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

Applications received

1. Golf Driving Range, Burnham Road, Woodham Mortimer CM9 6SR

Reserved matters following outline approval 22/00482/OUT (Outline application with all matters reserved for up to 18 dwellings with a provision for affordable housing.)

2. Land adjacent to 55 Kings Road, Southminster

An application to build seven new dwellings.

3. 47 West Street, Tollesbury CM9 8RJ

Replacement of existing roof with new steeper pitched roof with accommodation within new roofspace, demolition of existing garage and extension to the front to create store, and roof extension to the rear to create enclosed balcony. Recladding with external insulation and render.

Applications approved

1. Limebrook Park East, land south of Wycke Hill and Limebrook Way, Maldon

Development of the site to provide 42 residential dwellings (Class C3) together with associated infrastructure.

2. The Old Rectory, Bradwell Road, St Lawrence CM0 7LW

Replacement two-storey side extension. Demolition of existing single storey two bay garage and construction of two storey outbuilding comprising of an annexe, three-bay garage and office/storage area within the roof space.

3. Frensham House, Witham Road, Wickham Bishops CM8 3LQ

Change of use of land to residential use. Erection of detached two storey garage with a family and hobby room, construction of external swimming pool and associated hard landscaping.

Applications refused

1. Land north of Captains Wood Road, Great Totham

Outline planning application with some matters reserved for the enlargement of existing access and erection of two detached bungalows.

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. By virtue of the domestication and urbanisation of the site, the proposed development is considered to appear as incongruous and would erode the intrinsic beauty of the open countryside. The proposal has not fully considered the context within which it will sit when taking into account the character and appearance of the site's rural and agricutlrual setting. The principle of development, and the layout of the development, have, therefore, been found to be unacceptable. The proposal is contrary to Policies S1, S2, S8, D1, H4, T2, N2, D2 and I2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Great Totham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2022), and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that an appropriate visibility splay in accordance with the current standards could be achieved at the proposed vehicular access. The proposal would therefore lead to a substandard access onto Captains Wood Road resulting in an unacceptable degree of hazard to all road users to the detriment of highway safety. The proposal is therefore contrary to the policies contained within the County Highway Authority's Development Management Policies, adopted as County Council Supplementary Guidance in February 2011, Policy T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policy GT07 of the Great Totham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2022) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. The proposal if permitted would set a precedent for future similar developments which would likely lead to inappropriate parking on the highway which is detrimental to the safety of all highway users. The proposal is therefore contrary to the policies contained within the County Highway Authority's Development Management Policies, adopted as County Council Supplementary Guidance in February 2011, Policy T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policy GT07 of the Great Totham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2022), and the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
4. Insufficient information has been submitted with regard to ecology and no biodiversity enhancement measures are proposed. This is needed to ensure the Local Planning Authority is compliant with its statutory duties including its biodiversity duty under s40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policy GT04 of the Great Totham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2022) and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
5. Insufficient information has been submitted with regard to the impact on the trees and hedgerow at the site. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1 and D1 of the Maldon District Council Local Development Plan (2017), the Great Totham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2022), and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
6. 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 within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

2. Land at 53 Market Hill, Maldon

New build two-bedroom house.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The application site is located in Flood Zone 3a which has high probability of flooding. The proposal is for a new dwelling which has a high vulnerability to flooding. The proposal fails the Sequential Test as there is land at lower risk of flooding within the District which could be developed for residential purposes. Therefore, the flood risk associated with the proposed development is unacceptable, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, the National Planning Practice Guide and Policies S1 and D5 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan.
2. As a result of the height and size of the building proposed, particularly given the size and shape of the application site and the 'backland' context of the site, the development would appear cramped and out-of-keeping with its surroundings to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies S1, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan.
3. The proposed development would not provide an adequate quality of life for the occupiers of the proposed dwelling as a result of a lack of sufficient private amenity space of an adequate quality. The development would, therefore, be contrary to Policy D1 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
4. The development would fail to accommodate the demand for parking of vehicles off-street which, in turn, will lead to cars parking off-site in adjoining streets and areas, potentially causing conditions of obstruction, congestion and danger to residents, pedestrians and other road users, contrary to Policies T2 and D1 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan.
5. 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 Approved Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

3. St Nicholas Church Of England Primary School, South Street, Tillingham CM0 7TJ

The removal of existing metal bow top fencing 1.8m high to the street elevation, and removal of timber trellis fencing to the southern and northern elevations of the Early Years play area. To be replaced with a combination of Euroguard Combi and weldmesh fencing throughout to a uniform height of 1.8m from ground level.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposal, by reason of its design and appearance, would cause harm to the setting and significance of a number of heritage assets, particularly the setting of no.1 The Square and the locally listed School, and this part of the Tillingham Conservation Area as a result. The perceived benefits of the scheme, therefore, do not outweigh the harm caused, and the proposal is contrary to Policy D3 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. By virtue of the close proximity, height, and design of the proposed fence, the development would result in a loss of outlook to the neighbour at no.1 North Street, resulting in an unneighbourly form of development, that would have an adverse impact on residential amenity. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1 and D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Maldon District Design Guide (2017), and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

Read more

• Maldon Splash park set for 'its busiest summer yet' | Local Features | News | Maldon Nub News
• Essex violence and vulnerability community grant scheme launched
• HISTORIC MALDON: John Sadd and Sons – the long-gone timber merchants whose work you can still see today