An appeal hearing will take place after a marina contested decisions to refuse controversial plans for a 70-pitch caravan site and mud banks.

Port Flair applied to Maldon District Council for retrospective permission for the “earth enclosure” at the entrance to Bradwell Marina on Waterside Road.

It claimed the embankment, as high as 1.9m in places, was needed for security and to enhance the entrance to the marina.

But residents, who nicknamed the banks the Great Wall of Bradwell, complained to the council after the banks were constructed without permission.

An application was rejected in March and the marina was ordered to take down the mounds.

Port Flair has now appealed the decision and appealed against an enforcement notice, issued in May, to remove the mud banks.

In the summer the marina appealed against the decision to reject its plans to change the use of the site to home 70 caravans.

The three appeals will now be heard together and a hearing to determine the plans will be held on February 27.

Port Flair appealed against the enforcement notice on the grounds planning permission should be granted and time given to comply with the notice was too short.

The statement said: “This gentle sloping earth enclosure can now be viewed in its proper context following seeding earlier this year.

“The land does not appear out of context within its surroundings.”

It added: “The appellant’s positive attempts to improve the visual appearance of their premises should be welcomed, demonstrating clear commitment to maintain employment and provide enhanced leisure facilities within this corner of the district.”