A NUMBER of major developments were approved across south Essex this year.

Here is a run down of some of the significant planning applications approved across south Essex:

1. Ambitious plans for a huge retirement complex with more than 100 homes, a 93-bed care home and a GP service were given the green light in Rochford.

In December, Cherry Orchard Homes and Villages Ltd were given the approval to begin work on a new “senior living village” at Cherry Orchard Brickworks, in Cherry Orchard Way.

It includes a GP service, a community hall, convenience/express store, and office space including site management.

All blocks on site will also benefit from communal lounges.

Plans will see a retirement village consisting of 32 over-55s apartments, 22 over-55s houses, nine over-55s bungalows, 30 over-55s assisted living apartments, 34 over-55s sheltered apartments, and a 93-bed care home.

As part of the proposed development the management company will provide a shuttle bus service from the application site to surrounding towns, including frequent transfers to and from Rochford.

2. Fresh plans for a huge tower block of 245 homes in Basildon town centre were given the all-clear by councillors in December.

Basildon Council’s planning committee approved updated plans for the Great Oaks Retail Park site, after developers revised the proposals.

Plans had previously been agreed, however earlier this year developer Donard Real Estate updated designs to show a new, modern building.

The new plans also revealed all 245 homes would be up for rent, rather than for sale on the market.

3. Dozens of homes will be built on the green belt in Thundersley after Castle Point Council had its bid to block the plans overturned in June.

The Government’s planning inspectorate gave the green light to 44 homes to be built on the land at the rear of 248 Hart Road.

Councillors initially refused the plans in June 2022, after raising concerns about inappropriate development within the green belt.

However, in a decision published this week the planning inspectorate has given the plans permission to go ahead. All 44 of the homes will be classed as “affordable”.

4. A huge new primary school in Basildon was given the green light in May, despite major concerns being raised around school run traffic.

The new 420-place Basildon primary school will be located at The Dry Street housing development in Nethermayne after being granted permission by Essex County Council.

The school and integrated nursery – anticipated to be ready from September 2024 – is part of a planning deal associated with 725 new homes being developed at the site.

5. Fresh plans for a 50-bed care home complete with a cinema, pamper rooms and estuary views were approved in September, despite concerns construction could affect unstable Leigh cliffs.

A revised plan for a new care home on Marine Parade in Leigh – on the site of the former Memory House care home – includes a basement which will accommodate a kitchen, staff room, laundry room and a boiler room.

The building will have an external staircase to the basement with wrought iron balustrading. Light wells will illuminate the basement.

Placing rooms in the basement will free up the ground floor for a cinema, and hairdressing and pamper rooms for residents in the care homes.

The council received almost 50 objections from residents, which included concerns for structural damage to neighbouring properties, ground subsidence and land instability.