THE first phase of up to 1,138 new homes in a garden suburb in Heybridge has been given the green light.

Maldon District Council has approved the first 160 homes of the mixed-use development on land in Maypole Road.

These plans relate to the largest of the three sites allocated for development in the North Heybridge Garden Suburb.

Outline permission for the wider scheme by Countryside Properties, which also includes a primary school, early years childcare facility and a 120 bed care home, was granted on appeal in 2019.

Read more >>> First phase of 1,138 home development in Maldon set for vote

Speaking at the council meeting on Thursday, planning agent Matthew Wood said: "Officers have now concluded that the proposals as presented would be fully acceptable as a good representation of the village edge character that is aimed for in this part of the suburb."

He added: "The proposed scheme has evolved to ensure that a good standard of amenity is achieved for all future occupiers of the development."

Sue White, Conservative councillor for Purleigh, asked officers to confirm the "neighbourhood uses" in the plans, including shops and sports, would actually happen.

She said members have a duty of care to people living there to ensure this happens.

A planning officer confirmed these elements would have to be delivered.

Mrs White also noted: "I did take a little bit of an umbrage with the member of the public [Mr Wood] saying they worked with members, well if they worked with members they could've put in the bridleways."

Each of the new homes will have an electric vehicle charging point, according to officers at the meeting.

According to a report, one condition of the wider scheme is for 4 per cent of the homes to be bungalows.

However Adrian Fluker, Independent councillor for Southminster, questioned why only three bungalows had been proposed for the first phase.

The officer said she was confident the remaining bungalows could be provided in later phases.

The plans were recommended for approval by council planning officers subject to conditions.

Councillors at the meeting on Thursday agreed to approve the plans as only Kevin Lagan, councillor for Maldon South, dissented.