COUNCIL planning bosses say they would have thrown out plans for 34 homes in Halstead as the proposals now head to appeal.

Stow Healthcare Ltd is looking to build 34 homes at Halstead Hall.

Plans outline 24 market properties and ten affordable units.

It is the second phase of wider plans for Halstead Hall by Stow Healthcare.

The application forms part of a package of three proposals, two of which have already been planned.

The development of 20 homes to the south of the site adjacent to Russell’s Road was granted in June 2022.

However, plans for the demolition of Halstead Hall’s Green Lodge and the conversion of what is left as well as a “significant extension” to create a 37-bed specialist dementia unit, were rejected in January.

The latest plans are on land to the north and west of Halstead Hall, with the site being served via the existing access from the A131.

They were first submitted in late 2022, however, no decision was made by Braintree Council.

The applicant has since lodged an appeal for non-determination.

Despite this, the plans were discussed at the last planning meeting.

Braintree Council planning bosses said the applicant has “not demonstrated they could satisfactorily accommodate 34 dwellings on the application site”.

A statement from a planning paper continues: “The proposed layout would result in an unacceptable level of amenity for future occupiers both in terms outlook, garden layout and noise from the A131.

“Additional harm is caused by the lack of specialist ecological information.

“It would have been recommended planning permission be refused had the local planning authority been in a position to have determined the planning application.”

Speaking in the meeting, councillor Gabrielle Spray added: “I always find it disappointing when an applicant goes to appeal before we had a chance to discuss it.

“I appreciate this has been around a while but there have been considerable conversations between officers and the applicant to try and resolve some of the problems.

“I think there are very solid reasons for refusal.”

Braintree Council noted no appeal hearing date had been set by the Planning Inspectorate at the time of writing its report.