NEW homes are set to be built on part of a site originally considered for a controversial heritage centre.

Colchester Council’s planning committee voted to allow Mersea Homes’ development, off London Road, Great Horkesley, to go ahead.

The 22 new homes will be built on the site of the disused greenhouses which formed part of the defunct £25 million Horkesley Park heritage centre.

There were 35 objections made to the scheme which is on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty.

However, councillors were persuaded by planners who said although the land was seen by many as greenbelt, and therefore, should stay agricultural, a ruling by the Secretary of State on the land in 2014 meant it could be built on.

However, in response to concerns raised by residents living nearby, strict conditions were put on the approved plans by councillors to ensure no further development goes ahead.

Simon Cairns, the case officer for Colchester Council, said: “The developer has offered a restrictive component to the benefit of the adjoining occupiers which would preclude anything other than agricultural activity on the remainder of the holding.”

In allowing the plans, the owners of the land will have to sign an agreement allowing Colchester Council to buy the land for the agricultural price if there were any future “predatory development proposals”.

The land has been the subject of controversy for more than 13 years with a debate raging over the previous owners’, Bunting and Sons, bid to create Horkesley Park Heritage Centre.

The firm went into administration in 2014 owing £14million and the land was among assets which were sold off.

It was bought by W and H Park, a subsidiary of Pigeon Investments, which has worked with Mersea Homes to come up with a suitable scheme.

The site lies just outside an area of outstanding natural beauty and planning guidelines say it must be protected from developments which detract from its natural beauty.

Following the latest plan’s approval, 22 homes will be built, including four affordable homes.

In addition, £150,000 will be set aside to repair the nearby Grade I listed church of All Saints and car parking will be given to the church. Almost £17,000 will also be given towards secondary school provision.

Lyn Barton, borough councillor for Shrub End (Lib Dem), said at the meeting: “I think these plans are very attractive and have benefits.

“They won’t overdevelop the land and the area is outside the area of outstanding natural beauty.”