TILLINGHAM Parish Councillors rejected a controversial development in the village after public outcry.

At an extraordinary meeting on Monday night, the Parish Council took the decision to oppose the proposals to build 18 new homes in the village.

The plans would see the houses built on land off Vicarage Lane, opposite West Field Recreation Field.

The Parish Council have recommended that planning permission be refused by Maldon District Council when it appears in front of a planning committee in the future.

In a letter to Maldon District Council, Tillingham Parish Council highlighted the recent South Fields development as a reason not to approve the plans.

They said: “Tillingham has fulfilled its new housing and affordable housing quota with the recent development of 32 houses at South Fields, South Street, Tillingham.

“There are still empty houses, which indicates that Tillingham is not the best location in the Maldon District for new development.”

They also had an issue with the traffic survey conducted which they say was not representative of how busy traffic could get.

“Tillingham is a ‘sporty’ village and the West Field Recreation field is used by Tillingham Bowls Club, Tillingham Cricket Club, Tillingham Hotspur Football Club and Tillingham Tigers Football Club.

“Needless to say the West Field is used continuously throughout the year by the respective clubs with numerous matches at weekends and training events during the evenings.

“The traffic survey conducted for the applicant is unrealistic.

“There are numerous vehicles accessing the Tillingham Bowls Club during the summer season. The football season is August to May. There will always be two teams’ vehicles using and parked in Vicarage Lane on Saturdays and Sundays.

“The Cricket season is April to September. Again there will always be two teams’ vehicles using and parked in Vicarage Lane on Saturdays and Sundays.”