PLANS for two new entrance signs at a controversial site have been submitted to Maldon District Council.

The application is for the Burnham Waters retirement community development on the edge of the town.

There has long been controversy surrounding the site, especially with concerns over the possible relocation of the Burnham Surgery from the centre of Burnham to the new development.

Previous proposals for two illuminated entrance signs to be placed near the entrance were refused by planning bosses in March.

In their refusal, a council spokesman said: “The proposed advertisements, by reason of their illumination, would result in the advertisements being out of keeping with the existing rural character of the area and would therefore be harmful to the amenity of the countryside location."

Burnham Town Council had also called for the plans to be refused on the grounds of “urbanisation and light pollution”.

The proposals have now been amended and re-submitted for consideration, with Maldon District Council having the final say on the updated plans.

A covering letter attached to the application confirms the difference between the two applications.

It reads: "The only difference between the proposal for advertisements refused on March 11, 2024 and the current submission is the removal of references to illumination: the current signs are not intended to be illuminated."