A BID to build 8 new bungalows in Burnham, which received more than 40 objections, were approved by Maldon District Council last night.

The proposal to demolish an existing building at Appleberry by The Gables, in Stoney Hills, to be replaced by 8 bungalows, was debated at the council's south eastern area planning committee meeting yesterday (Wednesday, September 15).

An existing dwelling and outbuildings would be demolished and replaced by the 8 bungalows with associated cart lodges, parking, access, and landscaping.

Three different types of dwellings were proposed, all being two-bedroom bungalows.

Proposals included a new road which would be formed onto the site off Stoney Hills creating the Cul de Sac layout around which the proposed homes would be arranged.

Burnham Town Council had proposed refusal due to it being "overdevelopment of the site, does not conform to the NDP and LDP, and its outside the development boundary".

The area has been the subject of many redevelopment proposals over recent years.

At the meeting the applicant's agent, Mr Ford, said: "Whatever concerns you may have had for the development at Stoney Hills over the last 9 years this site of all is not the one to take any frustrations out on."

He continued: "In the present case 42 objectors - 43 now - most living in the new housing at Stoney Hills, the irony will not escape you, are merely asking the same old points that have been asked and answered all along this 9-year journey. Let's not make the same mistakes again.

"All statutory matters are satisfied, the bungalows are of a size and type of housing that you desperately need, it follows your pre-application advice, it is recommended for approval. Let's finish Stoney Hills off in a positive and cooperative note."

Nick Skeens, councillor for Burnham South, noted the way Stoney Hills has been developed has caused a lot of stress to people living there and in the town.

However, he added: "Because of decisions made by this committee back in the day, we are kind of stuck with what we've got."

He also said the good news about the application is it is all bungalows.

Chair of the committee, Vanessa Bell said: "I feel desperately sorry for the people living up at Stoney Hills because they've essentially been living in a building site for 10 years, however that is not a planning consideration."

She continued: "Its not right that this application be punished for the sins of others, and this does look like a development that fits in and is well-designed."

Issues were raised at the meeting about infrastructure, including schools, traffic, and street lighting.

Robert Boyce, who represents Althorne, proposed approval, and Adrian Fluker, for Southminster, seconded this with "a heavy heart".

The application was approved with 7 councillors for, one against, and two abstentions.