RESIDENTS who believed they had won a long-running battle opposing a planned infill development of eight houses close to their homes may yet be disappointed.

The controversial plans were opposed by residents and councillors over concerns of increased traffic, creation of a dangerous junction, parking issues, a loss of wildlife and overlooking of nearby homes.

In September, after considering the matter at two meetings, a majority of councillors on Thurrock council's planning committee rejected advice by officers to support the application for homes on land off Fairview Avenue in Stanford-le-Hope.

Instead, they proposed and supported by a 5-3 majority, a new recommendation opposing the scheme based on several recognised material planning reasons.

Full minutes of the meeting and the decisions can be found via this link.

Notice of that decision was sent to the applicants, Incidental Land Company Limited, in the days following the meeting and they have now appealed against the decision to the Planning Inspectorate and a hearing will be held to determine if the reasons for opposing are valid.

No date has yet been set for the hearing.

At the meeting in September independent ward councillor Neil Speight said: "I have concentrated on material planning reasons that can be evidenced, and which relate to access and layout.

"Those objections give details of evidenced concerns about traffic flow including access and egress danger, potential parking problems both within the site curtilage and on Fairview Avenue, proximity of new buildings to existing homes and the subsequent breach of privacy.

"Councillors have already expressed deep concerns and I have seen nothing from the applicants to alleviate them.

This aerial picture shows the location of the planned development on a green site surrounded by existing homes.

"This site will contribute nothing to the area through section 106 yet with eight homes including three, three- bed ones, it is inevitably going to add to already overstretched local resources.

"Infill developments such as this are insidious blots on our local landscapes, they eat up infrastructure and resource and give little back.

"I understand officers feel the need to support, wherever possible, applications that increase our housing supply but only applications that are sustainable, bring value to communities and meet all reasonable challenges should be approved."

Having been notified of the decision to accept an appeal, Cllr Speight added today (Wednesday, 19 November): "I am not surprised because there is a clear greed among developers that means they will press every possible button to get what they want.

"Opposition from myself and residents was always founded and based intrinsically on material planning matters, referenced by the National Planning Policy Framework. The rejection letter and planning committee decision gives detailed and relevant reasons why this application was rejected.

"I believe they should stand and they are valid, but we are now in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate and I can only hope that residents will get the decision they deserve – but sadly, in this era of constant and aggressive development, I'm not holding my breath and am braced for disappointment."