Read this week's roundup of the key planning applications in the Maldon District, received or decided on by the Council.

Applications received

1. Land at Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road and Maypole Road, Great Totham

Application for non-material amendment following grant of Planning Permission 21/00752/RES (Reserved matters application for the approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout & scale for the construction of 160 residential units with associated access, parking, servicing and landscaping (Phase 1 only) on approved application 15/00419/OUT (Part outline/part detailed (hybrid) application for mixed use development including:

• (i) Residential development (Use Class C3) for up to 1138 dwellings including 30% as affordable housing (Outline)
• (ii) Residential Care for up to 120 beds (Use Class C2) (Outline)
• (iii) "Neighbourhood" uses which may include retail, commercial, and community uses (Use Classes A1 and/or A2 and/or A3 and/or A4 and/or A5 and/or D1a and/or D1b) (Outline)
• (iv) Primary school and early years childcare facility (Use Class D1c) (Outline)
• (v) A relief road between Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road (Detailed element)
• (vi) Formal and informal open space (including any associated sports pavilion/clubhouse) (Use Class D2e) (Outline);
• (vii) Construction of initial gas and electricity sub-stations (Detailed); and
• (Viii) All associated amenity space, landscaping, parking, servicing, utilities (other than as listed in item (vii) above), footpath and cycle links, on-site drainage, and infrastructure works (Outline).))

Amendment sought: Plot 58 - W12 to be removed. Plot 71 & 73 - W9 & W10 to be removed. Plot 86 - W5 & W12 to be removed. Plots 96-99 - W14 & W15 to be removed. W7 & W14 are to be removed.

2. Queens Head Public House, 36 Queen Street, Southminster CM0 7BB

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a one to two-storey building to provide two commercial, business and service uses (Class E) units, including a convenience food shop, at ground floor and three flats (Class C3) at first floor together with modified access arrangements, parking, refuse storage, landscaping and other ancillary works.

The Queens Head pub closed in 2022, following a reported period of steady decline in business over several years. Attempts to find an alternative pub operator have apparently been unsuccessful.

3. Land adjacent to Oaklands, Kelvedon Road, Great Totham

Erection of four dwelling houses and associated garages and alterations and extension of the existing access and provision of parking spaces to Pippins.

4. Land rear of Masonic Hall, Cromwell Hill, Maldon

Change of use of land to a 'forest learning area' for Maldon Hall School with wooden boundary fencing.

Applications approved

1. High Trees, Spital Road, Maldon CM9 6SQ

Installation of domestic ground-based solar array of 176 panels.

An indicative illustration shows the location of the proposed solar array. (Credit: Maldon District Council)

2. C C Leisure Parks, Eastland Meadows Country Park, East End Road, Bradwell-on-sea CM0 7PP

Application for improved site access with new signage and associated landscaping.

3. Harbour Antiques, 7 High Street, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8AG

Change of use of ground floor front room from E(a) Retail to C3(a) Residential.

4. Greenhayes, Plains Road, Great Totham

Side and rear two-storey extensions, attic conversion to form chalet bungalow, replacement double garage and associated landscaping.

5. 6 Towers Road Heybridge CM9 4AP

Demolition of existing outrigger and out-building and construction of new single storey side and rear extension. Addition of hardstanding to front of property.

Applications refused

1. Outbuildings at Wrekin Farm, Burnham Road, Althorne

Claim for lawful development certificate for existing five self-contained buildings for commercial use.

Reason for refusal:

1. The Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that sufficient evidence has been submitted to substantiate the applicant's claim that all five outbuildings within the red line benefit from Class E use or that on the balance of probability that the remaining outbuildings that don't benefit form an approved change of use have been used for a period in excess of 10 years prior to the date of this application

2. Land rear of 148 Station Road, Burnham-On-Crouch

Alterations to approved planning permission 20/00375/FUL (Proposed change of use from Class B1 and B2 to Class C3, demolition of existing dilapidated industrial building and erection of 4 new residential dwelling houses, ancillary development and landscaping)

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed dwelling, as a result of its design, scale and bulk, would result in an incongruous and dominant form of development that lacks architectural merit and would cause significant and undue harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Maldon District Design Guide (2017) and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).
2. Insufficient information has been submitted in relation to provision of adequate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems on site demonstrating that the development would not result in flood risk. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to Policies S1 and D5 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) Policy EN.2 of the Burnham-on-Crouch Neighbourhood Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).
3. In the absence of a satisfactory completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, securing a necessary financial contribution towards Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy or an appropriate mitigation strategy to overcome the impacts of the development on the European designated nature conservation sites, the development would have an adverse impact on those European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).

3. 6 Towers Road, Heybridge CM9 4AP

Demolition of existing outrigger and out-building and construction of new part single and part double storey side and rear extension. Addition of hardstanding to front of property.

1. The development, as a result of the design, siting and size of the two storey extension proposed, would be detrimental to the appearance of the existing dwelling and would be a visually incongruous addition to the street-scene. Therefore, the development would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the host dwelling and the locality, contrary to policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. The development would not make adequate provision for off-street parking, thereby failing to accommodate the demand for parking which, in turn, will lead to the increased likelihood of cars parking off-site in adjoining streets potentially causing conditions of obstruction, congestion and danger to residents and other road users, contrary to Policies T2 and D1 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan.

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