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

Applications received

1. Papa Johns, 68 High Street, Maldon CM9 5HY

Partly retrospective application for:

• Sign 1 - Aluminium tray sign vinyl wrapped with 1 set of non illuminated built up letters painted red (PAPA JOHNS). Illuminated by overhead trough light.
• Sign 2 - projection sign. Illuminated by overhead trough lights mounted to bracket.
• Sign 3 - two off-frame sets of brushed stainless bars with illuminated poster frames both sides mounted internally in window void.
• Sign 4 - Pair of externally applied window vinyls applied to glazing.

Papa John's submitted a new application to turn a former High Street bank into a takeaway in October, after two previous rejections by Maldon District Council.

2. Crouch Ridge Vineyard, Fambridge Road, Althorne CM3 6BZ

Section 73A application for a barn to be used as a café, as a visitors' centre, tasting room, café and shop with associated operational development which includes an area of decking, two covered areas, extractor and air conditioning units, a gas tank, container and enlarged car park.

3. Western Shore, Northey Island, Maldon

Beneficial use of dredged sediment (BUDS) for Saltmarsh restoration on western shore and adjacent the Island end of the Causeway; adaptions to existing Causeway (raise at Island end) to reduce tidal flow over this section of the Causeway and across the adjacent Saltmarsh.

4. The Old Ironworks, Fullbridge, Maldon

Claim for lawful development certificate for proposed split of ground floor Unit 3 to create two commercial units, including removal of internal partitioning and insertion of new partitioning and doors to facilitate split.

Applications approved

1. Golf Driving Range, Burnham Road, Woodham Mortimer CM9 6SR

Outline application with all matters reserved for up to 18 dwellings with a provision for affordable housing.

2. Woodpeckers, 15 Mangapp Chase, Burnham-On-Crouch, CM0 8QQ

Variation of condition 2 on approved planning permission 20/01288/FUL (Demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of 5 no. dwellings) - replacement application of 22/00875/VAR

3. 20 Festival Gardens, Tolleshunt D'arcy CM9 8TX

Proposed erection of a two storey rear extension and reduction of the depth of the existing detached garage to suit.

Applications refused

1. Wicke Pin, 9 Katonia Avenue, Mayland CM3 6AD

First floor addition, single storey rear and side extension, front porch and fenestration alterations.

Reason for refusal:

1. The proposed development due to the size, height, bulk and design of the first floor addition, would be an incongruous element within the street scene to the detriment of the character and appearance of the surrounding area. Therefore, the development would be unacceptable and contrary to policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. Former Timber Yard North Of Grove Wood Mope Lane, Wickham Bishops

The erection of a detached dwelling.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposal will be located at a former timber yard, within an area of Ancient Woodland. The proposal will introduce additional residential development with its own residential garden, boundary treatments, artificial lighting, hardstanding, and this would domesticate the site. Owing to the prominent position of the site, fronting Mope Lane, the site would be highly visible at the street scene and would appear as incongruous and at odds with its woodland setting. The proposal has not considered the context within which it will sit. The development would urbanise the site, materially altering its character, and causing harm to the intrinsic beauty and character of the countryside. The proposal has been found to be contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policies WBEn 02 and WBH 01 of the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Plan (2021), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
2. Insufficient information has been submitted with regard to the impact of the proposal on the Ancient Woodland, in particular, high value amenity trees. The Local Planning Authority is therefore not able to accurately assess the impact of the proposal in this regard. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policy WBEn 02 of the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Plan (2021), and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).
3. Insufficient information has been submitted with regard to the impact of the proposal with regard to ecology. In particular, important surveys have not been completed and the results presented to the Local Planning Authority for consideration. Such results should include details of compensations, restoration, management, mitigation and enhancements including recommendations for the Ancient Woodland. The Local Planning Authority is therefore not able to demonstrate compliance with its statutory duties, including its biodiversity duty under s40 NERC Act 2006 and prevent wildlife crime under s17 Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The proposal has been found to be contrary to Policies S1, S8, N1 and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policy WBEn 02 of the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Plan (2021), and the policies and guidance 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 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).

3. Plot 1 Land North Of Oak Farm, Oak Farm Road, Woodham Walter

Construction of a new four-bedroom dwelling.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The application site lies within a rural location. The development has already substantially altered the open character of the area and would have a further unacceptable visual impact on the countryside though the disjointed design of the proposal and the urbanisation and domestication of the site. Moreover, the site is disconnected and isolated from the services and facilities and by reason of its location, it would provide poor quality and limited access to public transportation, resulting in an increased need of private vehicle ownership. The development is therefore unacceptable and contrary to policies S1, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, securing a necessary financial contribution towards Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy or an appropriate mitigation strategy to overcome the impacts of the development on the European designated nature conservation sites, the development would has an adverse impact on those European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1, and I1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

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