A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build 21 homes in Tillingham has been rejected by councillors.

Plans to redevelop at Tillingham Hall Farm, in North Street, Tillingham, were submitted by Strutt and Parker, on behalf of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral, which owns the land.

But more than 400 villagers signed a petition against the plans claiming it would see more than 20 trees cut down to create a new access road for the housing development.

The petition was started by parish councillor Kevin Knight.

An arboricultural impact assessment concluded that the trees set to be removed were small, internal to the site or have faults which make them hazardous.

The plans are for a mix of semi-detached bungalows, terraced houses and detached houses.

Officers at Maldon District Council recommended the plans for approval but at a meeting of the South Eastern Area planning committee on Monday councillors refused the application.

Mr Knight, who spoke out against the application, said: “The council recognised this development is not beneficial to Tillingham.

“It brought no affordable housing in to Tillingham.

“It is good to see the committee listened and thought about the residents and thought about Tillingham as a village.”

Mr Knight said it was a relief the application had been rejected but that residents expected the applicants to appeal.