Developers are considering their options after their plans to replace a warehouse with 48 houses was refused.

Bellway Homes had submitted its plans for Bridge House in Hall Road, Heybridge, to Maldon District Council on November 1 but councillors only made a decision on June 20.

It had hoped to build 14 affordable homes and 34 two or three-bedroom family houses.

But councillors said an employment site would be lost, the new houses would lead to “unacceptable over-development of the site” and the area is at high flood risk.