A village’s “big skies” would be harmed if a proposed 160 homes were built, Maldon councillors claim.

Maldon District Council’s planning committee refused planning permission for 160 homes in Latchingdon, as it “harmed settlement boundaries and the countryside”.

Officers had recommended approval, arguing the proposals for land between Steeple Road and Burnham Road would make a significant contribution to the supply of housing in the district.

The district still has a shortfall of affordable housing and the proposal would provide 64 affordable homes. It would also provide new public open space.

The application was made following the council’s call for sites as part of the ongoing review of the Maldon District Local Plan.

But councillors agreed the development’s negative impact would outweigh the benefits.

Planning committee member Sue White said: “This ribbon that goes up to the north is completely incongruous and for me this is the introduction of incongruous housing into a rural area which is open context, big sky, flat landscapes”

Councillor Paula Spenceley said the proposals contradicted Local Plan policies.

She said: “I know we have had a lot of controversy about how fast we review the Local Plan but the policies we have in the Local Plan are there for a reason.

“And I think we have got to think about it, otherwise we might as well put our current local plan in the bin and set fire to it and any new one we are going to do put that on top and all enjoy the bonfire.

“Quite frankly this is not going to produce what we responsibly as a planning authority should want for our communities and that has got to be a consideration.”

Officers had accepted there would be harm to the character and appearance of the area but this would be limited and the harm was not considered to significantly outweigh the benefits of granting planning permission.