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 Homefield, Southminster

Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion request for a proposal for up to 245 dwellings.

'Screening' is a procedure used to determine whether a proposed project is likely to have significant effects on the environment. No application has been submitted to Maldon District Council at this stage.

2. Proposed Church Hall, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights

An application for a new hall building.

3. 43-45 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

Loungers PLC: Advertisement consent for one externally illuminated fascia sign, one externally illuminated hanging sign, one internally illuminated menu board and lighting.

Additional plans for a new restaurant in the former Post Office building have been submitted to Maldon District Council. The applicants hope to open 'Salero Lounge' in September, pending planning consent.

4. Fellowship Afloat Charity Trust, Yacht Store D, Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury CM9 8SE

Installation of PV (solar) panels to four Sail Loft buildings and re-roofing the sail lofts in darker colour, along with a coated corrugated tin sheet to compliment the colour of the chosen PV panel.

Applications approved

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

Reserved matters application for the approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for Phase 3a for the construction of 234 residential units of planning permission 15/00419/OUT - Part outline/part detailed (hybrid) application for mixed use development, including:

1. Residential development (Use Class C3) for up to 1138 dwellings including 30% as affordable housing (Outline)
2. Residential Care for up to 120 beds (Use Class C2) (Outline)
3. "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)
4. Primary school and early years childcare facility (Use Class D1c) (Outline)
5. A relief road between Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road (Detailed element)
6. Formal and informal open space (including any associated sports pavilion/clubhouse) (Use Class D2e) (Outline);
7. Construction of initial gas and electricity sub-stations (Detailed); and
8. 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).

2. Land at Theedhams Farm, David Fisher Way, Southminster

New medical practice with dispensary retail unit and other ancillary uses together with access onto David Fisher Way; associated car parking facilities and other hard and soft landscaping works.

3. Anchor Guest House, 7 Church Street, Maldon CM9 5HW

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) on approved Planning Permission 20/00206/FUL (Alteration of existing property and change of use of ground floor guest house accommodation to form a five bedroom "house in multiple occupation". Existing first floor flat and existing attached cottage to be retained as independent dwellings.)

Amendment sought: replace windows and door on front elevation.

4. Ancillary Annexe, Heath House, Braxted Road, Little Braxted

Demolition of existing timber framed outbuilding. The construction of extension to existing detached garage and conversion to provide ancillary accommodation to the main dwelling for use as a granny annexe.

Applications refused

1. Barn at Hill House, Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon

The erection of one one-bedroom dwelling (in lieu of Prior Approval for a one-bedroom dwelling, subject of application COUPA/MAL/21/00094)

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed development, by reason of its location, would be disconnected from services and facilities and would provide poor quality and limited access to public transportation, resulting in an increased need of private vehicle ownership. The development would therefore be unsustainable and contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework's "presumption of sustainable development" and policies S1, S2, S8 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. By virtue of the scale and design, with its larger footprint and residential features, the proposed residential dwelling would appear at odds with the site's rural setting and would erode the rural character of area to the detriment of the countryside. The proposal has not considered the context within which it would sit, and would 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 contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. Insufficient information has been submitted with regard to the likely impact of development on designated and non-designated sites, protected and Priority habitats and species and the identification of proportionate mitigation. Additionally, no biodiversity enhancement measures are identified. It is therefore not possible for the Local Planning Authority to demonstrate compliance with its statutory duties, including its biodiversity duty under s40 of the NERC Act 2006 and prevent wildlife crime under s17 Crime and Disorder Act 1998. This is also contrary to Policies S1, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
4. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the necessary financial contribution towards Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy has not been secured. As a result, the development would have an adverse impact on the European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the policies and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021) and the Essex coast Recreational Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) Habitats Regulations Assessment Strategy document 2018-2038.

2. Land adjacent to Grange Cottage, The Street, Steeple

An application to build a detached house.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposal is considered to represent a cramped and contrived form of development which would be out of keeping with the pattern of development in the area. Given the prominent location and visibility of the site from Maldon Road and Canney Road, this would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the site, the immediate neighbouring dwellings, the street scene and the surrounding area. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, D1 and H4 of the Maldon Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance contained within the Maldon District Design Guide (2017) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the necessary financial contribution towards the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy has not been secured. As a result, the development would have an adverse impact on the European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

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