A bid to demolish three farm buildings in a Dengie village to build four new homes have been turned down for a second time.

Robert and John Lyon had hoped to build four two-bedroom barn-style homes on land next to Norton Hall on St Stephens Road in Cold Norton, following the rejection of similar plans in July last year.

A statement submitted with the latest plans calls the existing outbuildings "outdated, unfit for purpose agricultural barns, no longer appropriate for modern farming practices" and says their demolition would bring the site back into "beneficial use to provide much-needed new housing".

The statement says: "The site does not comprise an isolated location in the countryside, instead forming part of an existing community, with permission for two new dwellings already on the farm yard."

The proposal from architect Gytis Bickus to convert two barns on land adjacent to Norton Hall into new homes was approved in August 2020.

The statement for the latest application continues: "The site is nestled between residential dwellings and acts as an in-fill.

"The building comprises high-quality architectural design which seeks to provide an attractive, safe and healthy place for people to live, being connected to a wide network of footpaths.

"The proposed dwellings are considered to be suitable for small families or downsizers and the provision of the two-bedroom dwelling meets an identified need in the district, with a primary school within walking distance."

The homes would be arranged around a central courtyard, with private gardens to the rear of each property, enclosed by trees and shrubs.

Eight parking spaces were planned for the homes.

But two residents had objected to the proposed development, raising concerns about its rural location and potential impact on the countryside.

One objector said: "The proposal does not represent sustainable development due to its inaccessible location and would have a harmful impact on the character of the rural area.

"The nearest settlement is Cold Norton which is a village of few and limited or no services. The future occupiers would need to travel day to day for services and facilities to nearby villages and towns, most likely to Maldon or South Woodham Ferrers.

"The identification of eight car parking spaces within the proposed scheme identifies a significant increase in car usage in comparison to the existing agricultural use of zero car parking spaces."

Another resident added: "There are few services available in Cold Norton, let alone within walking distance, and particularly in the winter, since the only public footpaths go through agricultural fields which can often be impassable during the winter months.

"There is also a lack of public transportation available from Cold Norton meaning that new residents will require the use of a private car, rendering the development unsustainable."

Refusing the application, officers at Maldon District Council said there had been "no material changes to the design of the proposal" since the previously refused application, other than the submission of ecology reports and supporting information from an agronomist.

They said the latest proposal would be "remote and disconnected from local services and facilities" due to its location outside of the defined settlement boundary of Cold Norton.

They added: "The proposal would result in the loss of agricultural buildings, which could make an economic contribution to the area. The applicant has failed to provide adequate evidence to justify their loss."

Officers also said the development would "substantially alter the character of the area and have an unacceptable visual impact on the countryside through the urbanisation and domestication of the site".