A CONTROVERSIAL development off Halstead High Street has been branded a “running sore” with one resident denied access to his garage for eight months.

100 Acres Limited received permission two years ago for the construction of a terrace with four two bedroom homes on land to the rear of High Street, but failed to follow the plans.

A revised retrospective application was submitted and discussed at a meeting of Braintree Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, June 20.

Brian O’Connell moved into a neighbouring property in November 2016.

Speaking at the meeting he said: “Our garage is accessed over the yard to the rear of the property and is at the entrance to the site.

“We have a covenant over this land. However within these eight months of living at this address we have been unable to have access to our garage by car, not once.

“Although we support the planning in principle we would ask the council to ensure there is no damage to the property and our covenant over the land used to access the site entrance is respected.

“We believe our covenant is being and will be breached by plans to plant trees in this yard and access over the yard for refuse collection.

“While we are keen for this to be finished, we would also request assurances from the council that our covenant will be respected and any damage to our property is reversed.”

Lady Patricia Newton, councillor for Coggeshall, said she felt “desperately sorry” for Mr O’Connell but said the committee did not have the power to do anything.

She said: “What I would like to say from the council’s and members’ points of view is we do not approve a development which proceeds in this way actually.

“This site has been a running sore quite frankly and I’m sure other the members would wish that we could do something about it.”

The application was unanimously approved to allow permission for work already done.