THURROCK planning officers have again refused permission to develop a site in Bulphan for new homes.

They have rejected an application by Ms Sally-Anne Payne, submitted in December, to demolish an existing building and create two new five bedroom homes on the site on land to the rear of 'Conifers' on Brentwood Road in Bulphan, adjacent to 'Orchard House' on Peartree Lane.

A previous application for the site, which included a bid for eight homes, was also rejected but the applicant's designers 'Stone Me' said: "The revised scheme has been greatly reduced and we believe the reduction in volume from eight to two dwelling houses along with other design

decisions more than mitigates the previous reason for refusal." Turning down the application, officers said: "The proposed development would, by reason of its scale, siting and location within the rural setting result in inappropriate development in the green belt which is by definition harmful. "The proposed development would, by reason of its design, density and urban layout, appear as overdevelopment within this rural setting given the surrounding pattern of development and sporadic nature of buildings. The introduction of two storey properties, associated cart lodges and vehicle hardstanding would appear out of character within the immediate locality." The full report and reasons for refusal can be viewed via this link.