PROPOSALS for 110 new homes in Southminster have been thrown out, after fears of "beyond ridiculous" harm to a neighbour's home.

Gladman Developments Ltd, DJ Fisher Farms and L&A Barker were hoping Maldon District Council's district planning committee would agree plans for land off Queenborough Road, Southminster.

The proposals include demolition of 46 Queenborough Road, construction of the homes, with public open space, structural planting, landscaping and a sustainable drainage system. The committee discussed the plans on Wednesday, 7 January.

A worried neighbour who has lived in their home for 26 years said: "I find it quite unbelievable that the officer has recommended councillors approve the application. Just the harm it would cause to my household is beyond ridiculous.

"The bend in the road is a danger at the moment, what hasn't been recognised is the width of the bend, which is very narrow. Two vehicles have difficulty passing each other around that bend, it is also pretty much a right angled bend. There's something like 360 other objections that talk about harm to the healthcare system, that is at capacity."

Maldon South councillor Kevin Lagan also raised concerns about the proposals.

He said: "Loss of farmland is worrying and I also think we talk about affordable housing. If you look at the council's housing delivery we are above where we should be, so we need to think carefully before we just grant developers and people tell us we should."

The committee overruled the planning officer who recommended plans were given the go-ahead.

If built the vehicle access would have been a 'T' junction onto Queenborough Road and 30 per cent of the plans would be affordable housing provision.

A spokesman for the developer said: "In terms of principle this is a logical site, on the edge of a sustainable settlement of a railway station where this council has specifically resolved to direct strategic housing growth.

"Officers conclude the principle of development is acceptable.

"Permission should be granted unless any adverse impact would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

"All technical issues are addressed, there are no objections from consultees on landscape, ecology, flood risk, heritage noise or air quality.

"Any harms are extremely limited whereas the benefits are substantial."