An outline planning application proposing to build up to 140 dwellings on land at Sharps Farm, Latchingdon, has been submitted for consideration by Maldon District Council Planning.

The application covers a large stretch of land south of 'The Street' in Latchingdon, and proposes 40% affordable housing, new access roads, a new village centre with a local store, commercial buildings, car and cycle parking, public open space, community allotments and electric car charging points for each new home. 

The 'outline planning application,' received December 23, asks the council to give permission for the principle of building up to 140 homes on the 15.84 hectare site, with the specifics to be determined later on approval. 

In a letter to the Planning Services at Maldon District Council, MJD Planning Ltd outlined how revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024, has resulted in a requirement for a substantial increase of housing development across the country. 

In Maldon, the revised NPFF has increased the local housing need to 2,845 dwellings over the five years, an increase of 1,465 homes, therefore cutting down the council's 6.3 year supply of homes to 3.1 years. 

This means there could be a significant "presumption in favour of granting permission" unless the adverse impacts of doing so would "significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, as argued by the Planning Consultant. 

The Consultant adds that proposal benefits include addressing local housing need, providing 40% affordable housing, meeting the needs of the elderly with provision of 10% bungalows and single storey dwellings and supporting individual choice with 5% custom-build plots.

Additionally, it argues that the development would offer a new community hub for residents to socialise, boost local enterprise, provide green infrastructure and offer sustainable transport options.

The plan comes after years of attempts to develop the site, including pre-application submission discussions in 2015, 2017 and most recently in 2022.