IN close proximity to two huge planning applications which have been approved, a Thurrock homeowner has lost out twice in a bid to build a small bungalow.

Jenifer Eaton of Dalia Cottage, Kirkham Shaw - a rural road off Lower Dunton road - applied to Thurrock Council in July 2018 to build a two bedroomed bungalow on land adjacent to the cottage.

Though the plot is not visible from the main road and surrounded by trees, planning officers decided the build would be 'harmful to the openness of the green belt' and that the development was inappropriate.

An appeal was made to the planning inspectorate but it has been lost.

The inspector agreed with the council officers and stated that the proposal would be inappropriate development where no very special circumstances exist, and there was a clear reason for refusing the development.

Kirkham Shaw is close to the new Redrow development on Lower Dunton Road where 80 houses are currently being built after the council decided to allow it in the green belt - and just recently the council gave permission for a massive homes and leisure development of more than 180 retirement dwellings on the adjacent Langdon Hills Golf Course. Click here

That decision still awaits ratification from the council after councillors went against their officer recommendation to approve it. It was scheduled to come back to next week's planning meeting for final consideration, but it is not on the agenda for Thursday's (26 March) meeting.