CONTROVERSIAL plans for more than 120 homes off a country lane have been thrown out by a Government inspector.

Gladman Developments lodged plans for 122 houses across two sites on land off Bakers Lane, Colchester.

The proposals were initially rejected by Colchester Council planners but the developers appealed the decision.

However an inspector has now thrown out the plans, citing a "dramatic" change to the landscape, which would "change a significant stretch of Bakers Lane from a rural to a suburban road".

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In his report, inspector Mark Dakeyne said: "The development would not be capable of being absorbed into the landscape.

"Overall, the proposal would be substantially harmful to the character and appearance of the area."

He also said the development would conflict with a number of policies, including building on unallocated greenfield land outside settlement boundaries, which the Essex Landscape Character Assessment states should be "strictly controlled".

Mr Dakeyne's report adds: "The landscape for the intimate enclave of countryside to the north of the railway would be dramatic.

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"The creation of a carriageway with pavements, kerbs and potentially street lighting would change a significant stretch of Bakers Lane from a rural to a suburban road."

The text adds: " The open grassland comprising Parcel A and the sloping field adjacent to the lane forming part of Parcel B would be replaced with housing estates and a hard urban edge, however well-designed."

The inspector also takes aim at the lack of facilities and infrastructure near to the site.

The report adds: " There are no facilities on the doorstep. The nearest primary school, although only a short distance to the east as the crow flies, would require a walk on roadside pavements of about 1600m due to the position of the dyke.

"The nearest convenience store is at West Bergholt, a similar distance from the site and again reached primarily by roadside pavements. No off-road cycling routes are available.

"Parents would be unlikely to walk to school with their children or allow youngsters to walk or cycle independently. "Few journeys would be undertaken to these destinations on foot or by cycle.

"Those facilities that are nearer such as Colchester Golf Club, a beauty salon and dentist are not essential for day-to-day living."

When the plans were submitted, they attracted more than 100 objections, including from the Braiswick Residents’ Association, West Bergholt Parish Council as well as borough councillors and residents.

They cited fears about the lack of infrastructure in the immediate area to deal with more than 100 new homes so close to larger developments including at the former Severalls Hospital site.