A DEVELOPER feels his £500,000 plans to commercialise a village lake "have not been fairly treated" before they were refused.

Braintree Council refused Darren Hilton's plans to regenerate the fishing lakes at Great Yeldham Hall, in Toppesfield Road, Great Yeldham at its planning committee on Tuesday night.

The proposals included the change of use of four mobile units to provide anglers' toilets, a tea room, a tools shed and office with a family cabin.

Helen Howie, agent of the development, speaking on behalf of Mr Hilton, said: "The applicant feels his proposals have not been fairly treated.

“Recreational fishing is a pre-existing use on this site, however the site has been neglected for many years and when the applicant purchased the land earlier this year he set about clearing fallen trees, removing dead wood, trimming over grown areas and clearing scrub to provide access for fishermen.

“This has led to a lot of protest but site management activities do not need planning permission for management work on private land.

"This enterprise boosts the rural economy as well as helping meet the need for leisure in the borough."

In a speech to the committee, Mrs Howie defended the plans to enlarge the lake which is set in a potential flood risk zone.

She added the Environment Agency had raised no objections to the plans.

However, an objector, Ian Francis, of Toppesfield Road could be a serious risk to the lives of two particular endangered species, Water Voles and Otters.

He also stated a proposed access road off Toppesfield Road was only wide enough for one car, and as a result would be "dangerous" for drivers and ramblers.

He added: "“If the proposed development goes ahead, the footfall, car movements, lights and noise will be detrimental to the protected wildlife on the site.

“The proposed manager’s cabin seems excessive, more like a dwelling.

“I don’t see the need for the proposed café and function room."

Mrs Howie said the proposed route was large enough for cars to use to access the lake.

She added: "This enterprise boosts the rural economy as well as helping meet the need for leisure in the borough."

Despite this, the council agreed "unanimously" to refuse the application.

Tom Cunningham, Great Notley and Black Notley, said: "I appreciate the argument this application has found favour with the economic development team because it will create five jobs in a rural setting, but I think the scale of what is proposed on the site has not found favour.

"If they increased the fishing offer or made it appealing to more anglers down the line without the further buildings, it would have been found more."