CONTROVERSIAL plans for 74 homes near a much-loved piece of Braintree countryside have been thrown out.

The application for housing on land south of Springfields and north of the Flitch Way was made to Braintree Council in the summer.

The green space has been at the centre of a planning debate for years.

The Brook Green proposals included up to 1,600 homes, a community centre, primary school, employment land and public open space on the land.

Braintree Council refused the planning application in December 2017, but applicant Acorn Braintree lodged an appeal, and a public inquiry was held over three weeks in September 2018.

Campaigners, known as the No Brook Green Action Group, eventually claimed victory after a government inspector ruled against the proposals.

Plans were later granted on appeal to build a smaller 120-home development on Gilda Terrace near the Flitch Way.

The new 74-homes plans sparked concerns, with Friends of the Flitch Way trustee and secretary Sandra Reynolds saying developers were “nibbling away” at the area.

“It is such an important resource for the whole area,” she said.

“There are very few green spaces accessible to people, particularly with children, to walk, bike or use a wheelchair.

“It just isn’t the same if it is all surrounded by houses.”

The plans for 74 homes have been rejected following a planning meeting.

Stour Valley South councillor David Holland said: “It is clear the Flitch Way and that environment and the countryside there is cherished and an important asset to the community.

“It is quite clear this development would be very clearly visible from the Flitch Way - there is not adequate screening.”

Great Notley and Black Notley councillor Frankie Ricci said: “Although this is a separate planning application to the Brook Green application, during the appeal process there were some principles set out around why there should be no development around that area.

“If we were to go back on some of those it is almost building that area by stealth.”

Silver End and Cressing councillor James Abbott said: “If this was granted, we’d be seeing the loss of a significant amount of habitat in terms of hedges and trees.”

The plans were unanimously refused.