Maldon MP John Whittingdale Althorne planning application

Maldon MP John Whittingdale made contact with the Crouch Valley defence group to respond to their concerns on a planning application in Althorne.

The plans look to build 750 homes on 86 hectares of land south of Fambridge Road and Burnham Road as well as east and west of Station Road in Althorne.

The Crouch Valley defence group was formed by Althorne residents in response to the plans.

The group contacted Mr Whittingdale in the hope he may support their worries.

In response Mr Wittingdale said: “I fully understand your view that a development on the scale suggested would be wholly inappropriate in a village like Althorne.

“As you know, planning applications are determined by Maldon District Council and, although I am in regular contact with them, I have no role in the process.

“You are of course correct that the existing local development plan designated for Maldon and Heybridge for a large proportion of the new housing required and this is now underway.

“However, this is insufficient to meet the currently assessed five-year land supply and so the district council is now considering the results of the recent consultation on broad options for further development.

“I agree that it is of great concern that developers are seeking to bypass this process and are already submitting applications.

“My own position is that once MDC has made a determination then I will make strong representations to the Planning Inspectorate if an application is refused and the developer submits an appeal.

“I have always been clear that decisions of this kind should be taken locally and not imposed by an unaccountable and remote planning inspector.

“More broadly, I and a large number of my Conservative colleagues are deeply concerned that the current system forces local authorities to allow large scale development against the wishes of local people.

“This is often exacerbated by a lack of investment in supporting infrastructure.”