This Land 455 homes plans for Castle Point thrown out

Plans by developer This Land to build a mini-estate of homes close to the A127 have been rejected by planning inspectorate Andrew Dawe after he echoed Castle Point Council’s fears over the impact on the green belt.

The council initially rejected the plans back in December before an appeal hearing was heard over three days in June.

Yesterday, the planning inspectorate published its ruling stating the appeal would be dismissed as it would “represent inappropriate development on the green belt”.

Residents had launched a huge campaign against the plans, submitting hundreds of objections claiming the homes would irreversibly damage the green belt and have a huge impact on infrastructure.

Castle Point deputy leader and councillor for strategic planning, Warren Gibson, said: “This outcome is a testament to the hard work of officers, the councillors and members of the public for their involvement in this application and appeal.

“The council was therefore able to robustly defend the reason for refusal and we welcome the thorough work undertaken by the Planning Inspector to dismiss this appeal, which protects this important area of green belt”.

Campaigner Simon Hart added: “It is the right decision and I had fought long and hard for it and for it to remain green belt.

“It is important and there is a need for housing and for that to be fulfilled we need the right homes in the right place and we cannot overload it to reach the housing targets. That is wrong as well.

Tory MP, Rebecca Harris said: “I am very pleased that the Inspector agreed with me, the local council and many concerned local residents that this green belt site effectively stops Thundersley and Daws Heath merging and that building here would impact the openness and semi-rural character of the area.

“I am also pleased he took into account the precedent set by our recent successful defence of green belt south of Daws Heath Road, and local concerns about the impact on the environment.”