A proposal to replace the Woodham Mortimer Golf Range with up to 25 new bungalows has been rejected by Maldon district councillors.

Members of the district council's north western area planning committee came to the decision last night (Wednesday, 6 October), following a debate which centred on accessibility of the site, its density and the need for affordable housing.

Councillor Richard Siddall said that one of his "big concerns" about the proposed development is that "there is no affordable housing" officially included in the application.

He also raised concerns about Section 106 agreements, which cover contributions made by a developer to help mitigate the burdens a proposal might place on existing infrastructure and resources in the area.

Councillor Siddall said: "My big concern about this particular development is around Section 106 and the fact that there doesn't seem to be any contributions coming forward."

The application involves demolishing the current building on the site, on Burnham Road, and replacing its driving range and pitch and putt with up to 25 one and two-bedroom bungalows and a play area.

One full-time and two part-time employees currently work at the golf range.

Planning officers had recommended refusal of the application for reasons including the site being in an "unsustainable location" where residents would be "heavily reliant" on private transport.

Officers said it would also represent the "sprawl of development into the open countryside" and would result in the "unjustified loss of an employment use, community facility, tourism facility and sports and leisure facility".

A planning officer told last night's meeting: "The presence of other existing dwellings wouldn't necessarily justify another development."

Councillor Siddall proposed to accept the officers' recommendation for refusal, which was voted through with five councillors for and one abstention.