A developer has failed in its bid to build new homes in Althorne after council officers said the site is "not in a sustainable location".

Argent Developers wanted to demolish a workshop building at Buttons Barn, on Southminster Road in Althorne, and convert another to create four three-bedroom bungalows and two two-bedroom flats.

The workshop building which the company hoped to demolish was given the go-ahead in 2019 to be used for the restoration of classic cars, but a statement with Argent's application says this was never implemented and "the site has therefore remained vacant".

The statement says: "The site would have a greater benefit to the local community if it were developed for an alternative use - in this case residential.

"The provision of six new dwellings on site would provide housing in a district that is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and would make an early contribution towards 'repairing' the current deficit."

Maldon District Council said in January that there is not enough housing land allocated or with planning permission to fulfil five years' worth of needs, and failure to do so can remove the district council's ability to prevent developments on land it disagrees with.

The statement says the "potential of the site to offer a wide selection of possible employment uses is extremely limited" as it has a directly adjacent neighbour.

It adds: "The site has never been used for employment purposes so zero jobs would be lost as a result of the proposal."

But officers at the district council said the new homes at Buttons Barn would not be in a "sustainable location".

Refusing the plans, they said: "The proposal would have a materially adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area, would result in the unacceptable loss of employment and would have an adverse impact on nature conservation."

Two residents also raised concerns in letters of objection to the plans, with one saying "there are no local amenities or footpaths near the proposed site".

The objector said: "Southminster Road is a fast road and entry and exit points to existing dwellings here are dangerous enough - adding more dwellings will only increase the risk of collision.

"The local schools are already overcrowded and many children are having to travel far afield."

Council officers added: "It has not been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the local planning authority that the use of the site for employment purposes is no longer viable, taking into account the site's existing and potential long-term market demand for an employment use."

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