A historic foundry site in a village is set to be transformed into a housing development.
Braintree District councillors decided on Tuesday to approve the vision of Knight Developments Ltd for The Rayne Foundry, in The Street, Rayne.
The existing industrial buildings would be demolished, the site decontaminated and 82 homes and three offices would be built with with access from The Street and Brunwin Road.
Following the meeting Martyn Phillips, chairman of Rayne Parish Council, said: "It's the best option put forward by any developer, people would agree with that. It's been a mess for years."
The proposals would see residential units comprising of 41 flats and 41 houses, and 30 per cent would be affordable housing.
