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 north of 48 Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury

Variation of conditions 12 (principle access), 15 (footway) and 16 (dropped kerb pedestrian crossings) on approved planning permission 21/00702/FUL (Create residential specialist neighbourhood for older people, consisting of 25 dwellings and community hub building, with associated landscaping and infrastructure).

Permission was granted for a 25-home affordable retirement development on the site in August last year.

2. Land at Morrisons, Wycke Hill, Maldon

Advertisement consent for four non-illuminated vinyl fascia signs.

3. 9 Cherry Blossom Lane, Cold Norton CM3 6JQ

Erection of two bungalows, including parking provision.

4. Land north of Langford Bridge, Maldon Road, Langford

Proposed alteration of existing access and construction of a 'grasscrete' track including bridge and eel screen equipment at the existing River Blackwater intake.

Applications approved

1. Land adjacent 13 Mill Road, Tillingham

Outline application with all matter reserved for two residential units and associated garages with access off Mill Road and associated parking spaces.

2. Land at St Peters Church, Church Road, Great Totham

To change the use of unused arable land to a new Churchyard extension

3. The Augers, High Street, Burnham-On-Crouch

Replacement of existing white painted softwood dilapidated weatherboarding with painted render (as amended by plans received 27 September 2023)

4. Heybridge Co-Operative Academy, Colchester Road, Heybridge

Proposed replacement of windows and doors

Applications refused

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.)

Outline permission was granted in February, subject to a Section 106 agreement. But reserved matters, which detail the development's appearance and layout, were rejected last week.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed development would fail to provide a housing mix that meets the District's need as set out in the Local Housing Needs Assessment. Therefore, the development would not provide a suitable mix and range of housing to support the creation of a mixed and balanced community in direct conflict with outline permission 22/00482/OUT and contrary to policy H2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. The proposed development, as a result of its layout, scale, appearance and landscaping, most notably in relation to the disparity between the design, layout and positioning of the Affordable Dwellings within the southeast corner of the site and the market dwellings and the positioning and layout of the Public Open Space, combined with the choice of and the positioning of the boundary treatments and lack of information in relation to soft landscaping would cause demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the site, wider area and countryside. The Affordable Housing would appear cramped into the site, in a prominent location and would not adhere to the prevailing pattern of development causing material harm, contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan as well as guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework and the Maldon District Design Guide.
3. The proposal fails to provide sufficient information in order to meet the requirements of Condition 3 of the Outline Permission (22/00482/OUT) relating to landscaping. As such, the lack of sufficient information in relation to soft landscaping exacerbates the urbanising impacts of the scheme and results in insufficient being submitted in respect of layout and landscaping. The development is, therefore, contrary to Policies S8 and D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan.
4. The detail required by Conditions 13 and 26 of the Outline Permission, relating to noise and ecology, have not been submitted to the Local Planning Authority and approved prior to this Reserved Matters application. It is essential that this detail is agreed prior to the agreement of the Reserved Matters due to the implications that the Noise Assessment and Ecological Survey could have on the layout of the scheme. For these reasons the proposed development is in direct conflict with the terms of the Outline Permission (22/00482/OUT) and is contrary to Policies D1, N2 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan as well as guidance contained within the Maldon District Design Guide and National Planning Policy Framework.

2. Heath Cottage, Old Heath Road, Southminster CM0 7BN

Claim for lawful development certificate for proposed two outbuildings with the demolition of an existing stable and alterations to existing garage.

Reason for refusal:

1. The proposed erection of 2No. outbuildings would not fall within tolerances of Class E of Part 1, of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and therefore would not be permitted development.

3. 7 Cripplegate, Southminster CM0 7DW

Proposed rear single storey extension, first floor rear extension and alterations to fenestration.

Reason for refusal:

1. The first-floor rear extension proposed, as a result of its size, height and design, would be a visually incongruous addition to the property which would cause harm to the character and appearance of the host dwelling, the surrounding area and the setting of the neighbouring non-designated heritage asset (9 Cripplegate), contrary to Policies D1, D3 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

4. 24 Broad Street Green Road, Heybridge CM9 8PD

Demolition of existing detached garage. Construction of a two storey side extension and a single storey extension to the rear. Replacement roof and external alterations to existing side extension.

Reason for refusal:

1. By virtue of the scale, height and overall design of the proposed development, the proposal would introduce an incongruous and dominant form of development that would harm the appearance of the host dwelling and would be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the built form in the immediate area. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Maldon District Design Guide (2017) and the guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2023).

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