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

Applications received

1. Land at Willie Almshouse, School Road, Great Totham

Proposed extension to existing Almshouses to provide two one-bedroom cottages in the rear gardens of the existing Almshouses forming a courtyard appearance off the return of the existing property via an arched linked wall. The proposals will result in some site clearance of some of the trees and bushes on the footprint of the proposals, but will retain the large majority around the site and woodland. There will be no alterations or demolition of the existing listed building, and extensive discussions have been held with the local listed building officer on the design of the proposed dwellings to maintain the same design creating the courtyard appearance. The previous application was refused and referred to a number of conditions that have all been addressed in the design, enclosed Planning Statement, and additional reports relating to Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gains.

2. Woodham Walter Church Of England Primary School, The Street, Woodham Walter CM9 6RF

Proposed change of use of agricultural field to playing field for Woodham Walter C of E Primary School.

3. Grove Manor, Herbage Park Road, Woodham Walter CM9 6RJ

Retrospective change of use of land to residential garden.

4. Sports Pavilion, Vicarage Lane, Tillingham CM0 7TW

Front extension with pitched roof over, extended veranda and solar panels over existing roof.

Applications approved

1. Land north west of 2 Maldon Road, Burnham-On-Crouch

Outline application with all matters of detail reserved for future determination (except for layout and means of access to the site) to extend approved retirement community to north and east including additional affordable housing: erect 203 dwellings comprising 143 one, two and three-bedroom bungalows, 60 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in two-storey buildings. Lay out estate roads, footpaths, vehicle parking and surface water drainage infrastructure including swales and detention basins. Form public open spaces including greenway, orchards and allotments and lay out hard and soft landscaping.

Last month, the Burnham Waters development was the subject of a heated debate regarding the future of the town's medical centre.

2. 47 West Street, Tollesbury CM9 8RJ

Replacement of existing roof with new steeper pitched roof with accommodation within new roofspace, demolition of existing garage and extension to the front to create store, and roof extension to the rear to create enclosed balcony. Recladding with external insulation and render.

3. Wrekin Farm Shop, Burnham Road, Althorne CM3 6DT

Change of use from former farm shop and external store to form a veterinary centre with single storey rear extension.

4. Communication Station Mast (MBNL 93743), Impact House, Springfield Road, Burnham-On-Crouch

Proposed EE Ltd and Hutchison UK Ltd telecommunications removal of existing base station at Foundry Lane Industrial Estate which is to be replaced with a proposed 25-metre lattice tower, six antennas, four 600 dishes, four equipment cabinets and associated ancillary works.

5. Mandalay, Post Office Road, Woodham Mortimer CM9 6ST

• T1 - Copper Beech (T2 on Tree Preservation Order 7/14 ) - Crown lift by four metres. Lateral reduction by 1.5 metres.
• T2 - Copper Beech (T1 on Tree Preservation Order 7/14) - Lateral reduction by one metre.

Applications refused

1. Land at 1 Staplers Heath, Great Totham

Outline planning application with some matters reserved for access, layout and scale to construct a two/three-bedroom detached dwelling.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposal, by reason of its scale and proximity to existing dwellings to both its east and west, would result in a cramped form of development which would be inconsistent and discordant with the open and spacious character of this corner/return location in the streetscene. As such, the proposal is contrary to Policies S1, D1 and H4 of the Local Plan, Policy GT02 of the Great Totham Neighbourhood Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. The proposal; by reasons of the prominence of its parking area and vehicular access, the loss of an open area with vegetation and replacement with built form and boundary treatment, and the contrived and cramped layout relative to the setting of the site; fails to respect or enhance its local context and as such presents poor design. The proposal therefore is contrary to Policies S1, D1 and H4 of the Local Plan, Policy GT02 of the Great Totham Neighbourhood Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. The proposal, by reason of its scale, position and proximity, would result in the occupiers of 1 Staplers Heath having a reduced private amenity area with insufficient outlook and a poor and contrived layout of limited useability and as such would be detrimental to the residential amenities of the occupiers of that dwelling.. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Local Plan and the provisions of the Maldon District Design Guide and the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. Heybridge Co-Operative Academy, Colchester Road, Heybridge

Proposed new boundary fencing.

Reasons for refusal:

The site is partially located within the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Conservation Area. The green mesh fence proposed is considered to be excessive in height and of an industrial appearance. This would cause harm to the significance of the Conservation Area. The harm caused would be less than substantial and moderate. In accordance with Paragraph 202 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2021), such harm must be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. Paragraph 200 of the Framework (2021) states that any harm to a designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification. In the absence of any supporting statement, it is unclear what the public benefits would be, and no clear or convincing justification has been provided. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, D1 and D3 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017), and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

3. Hylands, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights CM9 8EZ

Ancillary building in place of existing former chicken shed storage building.

Reasons for refusal:

1. The proposed development would, by virtue of the already large area of built form on site and the scale and height of the proposed building, have an urbanising effect on the setting of the site and detract from the rural character of the area. The proposal would result in an unwelcome visual intrusion into the open and undeveloped countryside outside the defined settlement boundary of Tolleshunt Knights and is therefore unacceptable, contrary to policies S1, S8, and D1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. The proposed building, by reason of its height and scale, would be a visually incongruous addition to the site which would cause harm to the character and appearance of its rural location, contrary to Policies D1, S1 and S8 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.