CONTROVERSIAL plans for up to 80 new homes in Burnham have been approved by the secretary of state.

Sajid Javid, responsible for communities and local government, reviewed the appeal by Gladman Developments for the homes on land at Southminster Road.

It had an initial outline bid rejected by Maldon District Council in January last year and a second application for the site rejected the following September.

The appeal took place last year over six days before inspector Peter Rose submitted his findings and recommendation to allow to appeal to Mr Javid.

Maldon District Council had refused the plans over concerns the nearby Mangapp Manor wedding venue would subject residents to “excessive noise” and said it could demonstrate a five year land supply.

But both Mr Rose and Mr Javid found that the council’s Local Development Plan, for which public hearings restarted in January, could only be afforded “limited weight”.

The existing plan, dating back to 2005, was said to be out-of-date in relation to housing supply policies and protecting the countryside.

Mr Javid also found the proposal would “yield considerable economic, social and environmental benefits” and despite resulting in the loss of an open field “the site carries no recognition as a particularly valued landscape.”

Dennis Price, of Burnham Residents Oppose Overdevelopment, claimed the ongoing failure for a Local Development Plan to be put in place contributed to the decision.

He said: “We are disappointed but I can’t say I am surprised. Without a sound plan being in place, there is not too much in terms of a brick wall anybody can put up to stop developments.

“The whole problem with an emerging plan is it could be emerging for the next 20 years – it just means there is a sense of something moving.

“Unfortunately, it is moving at a snail’s pace.”

The decision was welcomed by the Jolly family, which owns the site and runs nearby Mangapps Railway.

John Jolly claimed the lengthy appeal process was down to “ineptitude on the part of the council”.

He said: “We note that the Minister agrees with us, that the resulting development will be of benefit to Burnham and to those people who desperately need housing locally.

“It will also benefit the Mangapps Railway and Museum, allowing us to improve its facilities and helping to guarantee its long-term future.”

Fiona Marshall, Maldon District Council Chief Executive, said, “We are obviously disappointed with the decision based on the fact that the LDP in this instance, has been afforded limited weight.”