Maldon District Council (MDC) has rejected an application to build 15 additional properties on the land north of Marsh Road in Burnham-on-Crouch.

Members of MDC last night (Thursday, 5 August) almost unanimously rejected the proposal on the grounds of overdevelopment involving the loss of green infrastructure, the housing mix not reflecting local housing needs and the lack of a bridleway, which it said had been promised by the applicant.

Councillor Sue White told the district planning committee that the proposal would have "an urbanising effect on a rural country area".

Plans to build 90 properties on the site were given the green light last year. The revised application proposed 15 extra dwellings on the land and some reduction in the size of the orchard in the original permission.

Councillors raised concerns that Burnham-on-Crouch does not have the infrastructure to support additional homes - particularly as the development is opposite St Mary's primary school.

Councillor Wendy Stamp, who is leader of the council, said: "We know that our infrastructure is creaking - if not breaking at the seams."

She continued: "We're supposed to be doing a climate emergency strategy, but yet we're putting our children on buses to go out to incorporate more houses being developed in the district.

"Burnham-on-Crouch has been hammered. We've been frontloaded by the houses."

Councillor Anne Hull said: "It's already really hard to get to the doctor, it's hard to get a place at the schools, the roads aren't able to cope.

"As for the bridleways, we were promised a bridleway. We've got one of the largest riding schools in the area - we've got no bridleways in Burnham."

She continued: "It's not fair on the people that live there."

Documents prepared by MDC planning officers - who recommended approval of the application - show that the developer had agreed to make extra Section 106 contributions if the homes were approved, including a donation requested by the NHS to help local GP services cope with increased demand.

The debate also centred on the loss of part of the orchard on the site to make space for the extra properties. Councillor Lagan said: "The orchard area is quite a lovely open space, and I feel that should be protected."

Councillor Christopher Swain said: "There is a significant increase in the number of homes, and it seems to be at the expense of orchards, green space and community areas."

Councillor Stephen Nunn proposed to reject the revised application, which was seconded by Councillor Carlie Mayes and voted through - with 18 councillors for and one against.