COUNCIL bosses have reject a bid to bring 230 new homes to a village.

Braintree Council's Planning Committee met on Tuesday to discuss the application for homes on land north-east of Rectory Lane in Rivenhall.

The bid, which is being spearheaded by Bellway Homes, would be the fourth phase of development on the land.

The southern end of the site is home to phases one and two which is comprised of 385 homes, which are still partially under construction.

A third phase is also home to 58 homes.

In the most recent bid, developers sought permission for 230 homes as well as open space which would include play areas and sports pitches.

Braintree Council had looked at the application in October 2021 but was deferred so the applicant could review its proposed cycle scheme to allow for cycling improvements.

But now the council has refused the application following a drawn-out meeting which saw councillors vote six in favour and four against refusing the bid.

Although members admitted there were strengths to to the development, councillors raised issues over the site's location, proximity to Witham and services and plans for cycle links.

Other issues raised by objectors and councillors included highways concerns, conflict with the development plan, character and appearance, tree loss,

Rivenhall councillor James Abbott motioned for the bid to be refused.

At the meeting, he said: "This site is a major incursion into the rural Rivenhall parish.

"The local plan committee rejected this site on numerous occasions.

"The site comes up about 700m from the centre of Rivenhall and is 400m from the nearest edge of the main part of Rivenhall.

"By comparison, it is over 2km away from Witham town centre and the nearest GP surgery is 2km away.

"In other words, this is much much closer to Rivenhall.

"No on-site key services are proposed so this is another housing estate on a greenfield site that will require residents to travel significant distances to access services.

"All this will do is put more pressure on existing GP services.

"The proposed cycle route is fraught with problems."