PLANS to build up to 49 new homes in Horndon on the Hill have been refused by councillors, despite planning officers recommending approval - and case officer David Stewart warning them they had no legal grounds to dispute the area was 'grey belt'.

Stonebond Properties (Chelmsford) Ltd had submitted an outline application to develop land adjacent to The Paddocks, proposing a mix of market and affordable housing, landscaping, public footpaths and parking. Half of the homes would have been affordable, including rental and shared ownership properties.

Planning officers said the site could "comfortably accommodate" the development and identified it as suitable for housing, but Thurrock Council's planning committee voted to refuse the proposal, citing concerns over sustainability and poor public transport links.

Conservative councillor Barry Johnson, ward member for Orsett, said the village was "isolated and car dependent", with limited transport options available to residents.

"I've been made aware that at least 185 residents have registered their disapproval of this development," he told the committee.

"Horndon has one infrequent minibus and no sustainable transport options. The steep hill and distance to local amenities makes journeys on foot difficult, and this proposal underestimates the number of car journeys that would be created."

Cllr Johnson also raised concerns about the impact on local green space, saying plans to introduce a new pathway through the recreation ground and create a second entrance would make the area "far less secure" for families and sports clubs.

He warned approving the scheme could set a precedent for further development along the lane, leading to urban sprawl, and argued the site contributed to green belt purposes.

advertisement

"The village is historic, set within open farmland," he said. "No exceptional circumstances have been demonstrated to justify development."

Resident Adam Judge also spoke against the proposal, describing the land as open countryside where horses could be seen at the neighbouring park.

"It's a beautiful, unspoilt village," he said. "Development would permanently reduce openness and harm the green belt."

Sean Martin, planning manager for Stonebond Properties, defended the plans, stating the council's own initial proposals document had identified the site as the only suitable residential location in Horndon on the Hill.

He said the scheme had been designed to be sensitive to its surroundings and included three bungalows following community feedback, a green link to the park and a £35,000 contribution toward local NHS services.

Despite the developer's case, and tghe legal argument by officers, councillors agreed the site was not a sustainable location due to its lack of public transport and refused planning permission.