Read this week's roundup of the key planning applications in the Maldon District, received or decided on by the Council.

Applications received

1. Workshop, Forrester Park Golf and Tennis Club, Beckingham Road, Great Totham

Erection of three Glamping Pods for overnight accommodation for golf club guests.

2. End of Langford Waterpipe, Hatfield Road, Langford

Sections of 34 hedgerows to be removed in order to install a new water main.

3. Smugglers Cove, 17 High Street, Maldon CM9 5PE

Proposed change of use from art gallery shop to a mixed use of drinking establishment for the sale of alcohol (sui generis) (ground floor) and tattooist (sui generis) (first floor).

4. Salero Lounge, 43 - 45 High Street, Maldon CM9 5PF

Four separate planning applications have been submitted to Maldon District Council, relating to the proposed Salero Lounge bar and restaurant which was scheduled to open last Wednesday (September 27). However, plans were withdrawn and re-submitted and the opening was delayed.

• Application 1: Installation of condenser units and full internal alterations/refurbishment.
• Application 2: Installation of condenser units and full internal alterations/refurbishment.
• Application 3: Advertisement consent for one externally illuminated fascia sign, one externally illuminated hanging sign, one internally illuminated menu board and lighting.
• Application 4: Installation of signage, changes to external materials including the repainting of doors and windows and glazing alterations. External stone cleaning.

Applications approved

1. St Peter's Court, Spital Road, Maldon CM9 6LF

Refurbishment and first floor extension to nursing home, including 12 new bedrooms, alterations to car park and associated landscaping.

2. Langford Hall, Witham Road, Langford CM9 4ST

Enlargement and alterations to the existing orangery. Alterations to garden walls and gates.

3. Unit 19, Mapledean Works, Maldon Road, Mundon

Construction of new portal framed B2 general industrial building with part mezzanine floor and office.

4. The Farm Office Residency, Tyndales Farm, Southend Road, Woodham Mortimer CM9 6TQ

Claim for a lawful development certificate for the retention of an existing dwellinghouse.

Applications refused

1. Land rear of 9 Church Road, Wickham Bishops

Mazdev Ltd: Outline planning permission with the matters of access for consideration for the demolition of 9 Church Road, creation of new access and the development of up to 50 dwellings including associated car parking, open space and landscaping

Reasons for refusal:

1. The site lies outside the settlement boundary and the benefits of the development, most notably the over provision of affordable housing, would not outweigh the adverse impacts of the development. Therefore, the development is contrary to Policies S1, S8, and D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan as well as Policies WBEn 02, WBEn 03, WBEn 04, WBF 02, WBF 03, WBH 01 of the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Development Plan.
2. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 the proposal includes inadequate provision to secure the delivery of affordable housing to meet the identified need in the locality, address the Council's strategic objectives on affordable housing and supporting a mixed and balanced community, contrary to Policies S1, H1 and I1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the completion, management and maintenance of the public open space, the provision of any necessary contribution towards health care provision, securing any necessary contribution towards Early Years and Childcare, primary and secondary school placements, provision for school transport contribution and the provision of a contribution to library improvements, the impact of the development cannot be mitigated contrary to Policies S1, D1, N1, N3, I1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
4. 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 have an adverse impact on those European designated nature conservation sites, contrary to Policies S1 and I1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan, the NPPF and Policy WBEn 01 of the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Development Plan.

2. Land rear of 53 and 55 Broad Street Green Road, Great Totham

Smallfields Estates Ltd: Nine detached dwellings and garage annexes together with associated drainage infrastructure, vehicular access, roads, parking and landscaping.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The site is located outside of a defined settlement boundary where rural policy constraints apply. By virtue of the layout of the existing built form and the relationship of the site to the development to the north, south, and east of the site, the amount and scale of built form proposed, and the introduction of a new access road, parking areas, and domestic paraphernalia, the development would appear as a visually prominent and incongruous form of development that would urbanise the site and cause harm to the intrinsic character and beauty of the open countryside. The proposal has not considered the context within which it will sit, and a development of this quantum and scale is not acceptable. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S2, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), Policy GT01 of the Great Totham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2022), and the policies and guidance contained in 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 the proposal includes inadequate provision to secure the delivery of affordable housing to meet the identified need in the locality, address the Council's strategic objectives on affordable housing and supporting a mixed and balanced community, contrary to Policies S1, H1 and I1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the policies and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposal would be acceptable in terms of flood risk and how it will maximise opportunities to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding through appropriate measures such as Sustainable Drainage Systems. The proposal is contrary to the policies contained within Policy D5 of Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.
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, and N2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.
5. The provision of nine four-bedroom dwellings (seven of which have an additional bedroom in annexe accommodation) together with the low density of development, at 6 dwellings per hectare, does not make the most efficient use of land taking account of the identified housing need as identified in the Council's Local Housing Needs Assessment (2021) or the area's prevailing character contrary to Policies H2 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3. Fellowship Afloat Charity Trust, Yacht Store D, Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury CM9 8SE

Installation of PV panels to four Sail Loft buildings and re-roofing the sail lofts in darker colour coated corrugated tin sheet to compliment colour of chosen PV panel.

Reason for refusal:

1. The proposed development would result in notable 'less than substantial harm' to the significance of the listed buildings. The public benefits of the proposal do not outweigh the harm. The proposal would be contrary to policies D3 of the Maldon District Local Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework and Section 66(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

4. Land Between Ash Cottage and High Prospect, Top Road, Woodham Walter

Granville Property Solutions Limited: Outline application with all matters reserved for up to six dwellings and garages.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The application site lies outside of the defined settlement boundaries where policies of restraint apply. The Council can demonstrate a five year housing land supply to accord with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework. The site has not been identified by the Council for development to meet future needs for the District and does not fall within either a Garden Suburb or Strategic Allocation for growth identified within the Maldon District Local Development Plan to meet the objectively assessed needs for housing in the District. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to policies S1 and S8 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).
2. The site would be disconnected from most necessary services and facilities for day to day living 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 would therefore be unsustainable and contrary to policies S1, S8, T1 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. The application site lies within a rural location. The proposed development, by virtue of its urban nature and the location of the site would fail to protect and enhance the character and appearance of the rural area and the built form would result in an unwelcome and contrived visual intrusion into this undeveloped section of the countryside, interrupting important long views and vistas across the countryside, to the detriment of the character and appearance of the rural area. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to policies S1, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan, the Maldon District Design Guide and the Woodham Walter Village Design Statement as well as Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
4. In the absence of a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 the proposal includes inadequate provision to secure the delivery of affordable housing to meet the identified need in the locality, address the Council's strategic objectives on affordable housing and supporting a mixed and balanced community, contrary to Policies S1, H1 and I1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

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