MORE of the green belt around Horndon on the Hill could be swallowed up if the latest application pushed forward by planning consultants Iceni is given the green light.

The proposal is for another housing estate to be built off the rural Lower Dunton Road, close to a development Iceni also brokered that delivered 80 'executive' three, four and five bedroomed homes on an estate called The Shires, which was constructed and completed between 2019 and 2021.

Permission has also been granted for a retirement village at Langdon Hills Golf Club which is on the other side of Lower Dunton Road. It is planned to be for over-55s and includes 84 independent-living bungalows, 78 extra-care apartments and a 64 Bed residential care home.

It also proposes a new golf academy (with driving range; tuition areas and function space for 150 guests); a new quick play golf course and a new redesigned green keepers building; a redesigned club house (with health spa, reception area, restaurant area, bar areas, function areas for 250 guests) and professional golf shop, gym, swimming pool, changing rooms, office space and kitchens.

A scheme for five new homes in the green belt just north of the proposed new development, at Doesgate Farm, was approved several years ago.

And earlier this month Thurrock Council's planning committee approved another five homes proposed in a controversial nearby development off Lower Dunton Road.

The latest application put to Thurrock Council is for 40 homes. Plans have been submitted for the development on 2.2 hectares of land to the rear and including Little Malgraves Cottages.

The site is largely made up of two fields but also contains a house, outbuildings and hardstanding, with all existing buildings set to be demolished if the development goes ahead.

Planning documents delve into the area's history in support of the scheme, with 19th-century maps showing Little Malgraves as an isolated farm surrounded by open countryside.

But developers say the character of the area has changed significantly since then as housing expanded around Langdon Hills and along Lower Dunton Road during the 20th century.

They argue Little Malgraves now sits close to the edge of the Basildon urban area and within an existing ribbon of development.

Developers claim building at Little Malgraves could "continue this trend of densification" and help transform previously scattered development into a "more defined village".

The applicant acknowledges new housing there would normally be considered inappropriate development, but argues the land qualifies as "grey belt" and building on it would have only a limited impact on the wider Green Belt.

The outline proposals would allow for up to 40 two-storey homes, 50 per cent of which would be affordable housing.

Around 0.56 hectares would be retained as open space, incorporating recreational and natural areas, play space, landscaping and drainage features.

Plans also include about 134 new native trees and two wildlife ponds, while established willow and oak trees would be retained.

A new road would connect Lower Dunton Road with Old Church Hill, accompanied by a three-metre-wide shared walking and cycling route.

The applicant, in a design and access statement that can be viewed via this link, says the link would provide a safer alternative to the existing Old Church Hill junction, which it claims suffers from "severe visibility constraints".

As an outline application, councillors are being asked to consider the principle of development and access arrangements. Details including the final appearance, layout and landscaping would require further approval.