Plans from an internationally-recognised fine art jeweller to build a specialist workshop on land owned by her family in Southminster have been turned down for the second time.

Applicant Joanne Gowan had hoped to build a three-bedroom home and a detached single-storey building accommodating a garage and jewellery workshop on the western side of Seamer Road in order to grow her business.

The site is located on land known as Old Heath, which has been owned by Ms Gowan's family for 75 years since being bought by her grandparents in 1946.

Ms Gowan's application proposed a change of use of the land from recreational to residential, as there is currently a shed, summerhouse, WC, caravan and garden swing on the site.

A planning statement with the application says the proposed live/work unit is needed to "sustain and enable the continued viability" of Gowan Jewellers, which Ms Gowan set up in 1985 to produce fine art jewellery through private commissions and purchase orders.

The statement says: "The business was originally set up in a shop premises in Saffron Walden and was forced to relocate to the applicants' home at Great Dunmow in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed by the Government on public access to retail stores and high street premises during the Covid pandemic.

"The applicant is currently set up in her home conservatory in order to preserve her business and means of income, which is far from ideal from a practical and production perspective."

The statement adds: "The location of the proposed home and workplace are of significant importance as the applicant's work is largely based on the influences and inspirations of nature, therefore the workshop or studio in a quiet location and looking out onto plants is intrinsically vital for her art."

Ms Gowan's handmade, one-off art pieces typically cost between £500 and £50,000.

She carries out commissions for private jewellery collectors worldwide and has an office in Mallorca.

She had indicated her desire to hold work experience days at the live/work unit, if it was approved.

A similar application by Ms Gowan for change of use of the land from recreational to residential had already been refused by Maldon District Council in June 2021, after officers said the site "lies within a rural location outside of the defined settlement boundaries".

They added that Southminster has "few services and facilities with limited employment opportunities".

The statement for the latest application says the proposed development is "economically sustainable as it will support an established rural business", adding that it is "not remote".

However, refusing the plans again, officers maintained the site "lies within a rural location outside of the defined settlement boundaries", adding that it "has not been identified by the council for development to meet future needs for the district".

They said: "The proposed 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."

They added that the proposal "would result in the loss of the existing use of the site for tourism".