DISTRICT councillors have approved plans to build 30 new homes on a former gravel pit in Great Totham.

A meeting of Maldon District Council's North Western Area Planning Committee last night (Thursday, 17 June) voted to give the go-ahead to the plans for land opposite 34, Hall Road.

The meeting heard from both an agent for the developer, Lynton Homes Limited, who gave arguments for approval and a member of the public who opposed the plans.

The previous permission for a very similar development on the land, granted by the planning inspector following an appeal on an MDC rejection in March, 2017, had run out of time - something the agent blamed largely on legal and administrative delays he claimed were the fault of the authority.

The agent told members of the committee: "There is no reason on Earth why you would not support this. Please, please - no more obstacles."

However, objector Sophie Brownsell said: "The infrastructure is not suitable for the 90-plus cars this development will bring. Traffic is already a problem in the village.

"The schools and doctors' surgeries are already full and there is a waiting list."

She added a number of other concerns, including the road outside the nearby primary school becoming unsafe for children to cross, damage to wildlife and the potential for toxins to be released from disturbance of the filled-in gravel pit, as well as flood risk.

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MDC planning officers had recommended approval of the plans, which include 14 affordable homes, and following a debate the committee resolved to give the new homes the go-ahead.

Councillor Mark Durham said: "This may not be perfect but I think we have to accept it."

The plans were approved with conditions including contributions to local infrastructure.