See below for this week's key planning applications in the Maldon District, received or decided on by the Council.

Applications received

1. Limebrook Trade Centre, Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon

Variation of conditions 2 (approved drawings) and 19 (no additional floorspace) on approved planning permission 21/00339/FUL (Erection of a mixed-use development comprising Class B2 (including autocentre with vehicle repair, MOT testing, servicing and associated operations) and/or specified Sui Generis uses and Class E (drive-thru coffee shop) uses together with access, servicing, car parking and associated works.)

The development is set to create up to 35 jobs and further employment opportunities during its construction phase.

2. Land South of Wycke Hill and Limebrook Way, Maldon

Limebrook Park West: Reserved matters application for the approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of Phase 3 of the Western Parcel (comprising 78 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), new public open space and car parking) of approved planning application 22/00393/VARM (Variation of condition 35 (details of employment land) on approved planning permission 20/00074/FUL (Variation of condition 10 (speed review strategy) and 20 (pedestrian/cycle crossing of Limebrook Way) on approved application 19/01134/FUL (Removal of condition 11 (details of 'Access Link Strategy') on approved planning application FUL/MAL/18/00071 (Variation of conditions 5,13,21,25,43,53,55,61,63,67, 68,69,74,81,84 on approved application OUT/MAL/14/01103 (Outline application for up to 1000 dwellings, an employment area of 3.4 hectares (Use Classes B1, B2 and B8 uses), a local centre (Use Classes A1-A5, B1a, C2, C3, D1 and D2 uses), a primary school, two early years and childcare facilities, general amenity areas and formal open space including allotments, sports playing fields, landscaping, sustainable drainage measures including landscaped storage basins and SuDs features, vehicle accesses onto the existing highway network and associated infrastructure.))

3. Land adjacent Darracott, Summerhill, Althorne

An application for a new two-bedroom dwelling.

Applications approved

1. Prentice Hall, 4 Prentice Hall Lane, Tollesbury CM9 8RN

Removal of a partition wall between utility room and kitchen in the 1970s-built extension.

Granted listed building consent.

2. Complete Lighting and Living, Unit 3 The Old Ironworks, Fullbridge, Maldon CM9 4LE

An application to split ground-floor Unit 3 to create two commercial units, including removal of partitioning and insertion of new partitioning and doors to facilitate split.

3. 91A Maldon Road, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8NP

Section 73A application in relation to planning application 20/00299/FUL (Appeal decision APP/X1545/W/20/3260009) in respect to change of external wall finish, minor amendments to window/ door positions to 2 bedroom bungalow and removal of chimney stack.

Applications refused

1. 9 Ferris Avenue, Cold Norton CM3 6HZ

Proposed loft conversion with rear box dormer and two front pitched dormers.

Reason for refusal:

• The proposed roof additions, as a result of their location, size and design, would harm the character and appearance of the main dwellinghouse, the semi-detached pair of dwellings of which the host dwelling forms part and the streetscene, contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. 37 Viking Road, Maldon CM9 6JR

Part two storey, part single storey front extension; part two storey and single storey side extension and single storey rear extension. Hardstanding to be extended and changed from tarmac to block paving.

Reason for refusal:

• The proposed front and side extensions, as a result of their location, size, height, bulk and design, would result in the dwelling appearing cramped and an incongruous feature within the streetscene, causing harm to the character and appearance of the locality and main dwellinghouse. The proposal is, therefore, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan

3. Outbuildings at Stock Hall Farm, Hatfield Road, Ulting

Conversion of redundant grain store (Building B) to create two residential units.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed development is located outside of a defined settlement boundary and is in open countryside. The site is not considered to be in an accessible location and does not promote sustainable travel. Furthermore, by virtue of the domestication and urbanisation of the site, which is readily visible across the surrounding landscape, the proposed development is considered to appear as an incongruous form of development that is out of keeping and will erode the intrinsic beauty of the open countryside. The principle of development has, therefore, been found to be unacceptable. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, H4, T1, T2 and D2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), the Maldon District Design Guide (2017), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. The proposed development has not considered the context within which it will sit and will introduce a modern residential development, with associated domestic paraphernalia, that will be highly visible within the wider rural landscape. The residential use will appear as visually intrusive and out of keeping, and the re-use (in part) of the agricultural building will not enhance the site's rural setting, but cause material harm. The proposal is therefore 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 in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. The proposed development is considered to introduce "less than substantial harm" to the significance of the adjacent listed buildings. This would relate to the way in which the domestic character of the development would detract from the tranquil, rural and agricultural character of the listed buildings' setting. The public benefits of the proposal have been found to be limited, and do not outweigh the potential harm. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies D1, D3, H4, S1 and S8 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the policies and guidance within 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 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).

Read more

• Maldon man arrested and drugs seized in early morning raid
• "It's the most rewarding job you will ever have" – Council service encourages people to start fostering in 2023
• Tesco Maldon Petrol Station to remain closed for repairs, spokesperson says