A BID for 25 homes have been thrown out by an inspector after she found it would result in the merging of a village with Stanway.

Go Homes Ltd wanted to build the houses on land off Halstead Road, in Eight Ash Green.

The outline bid was for a mixture of detached and linked detached homes.

Last year Colchester Council rejected the bid saying it was outside the development boundary, there were concerns about air quality and concerns about the impact noise would have on any future residents.

Go Homes appealed the decision but inspector Sarah Dyer has now upheld Colchester Council's decision.

In her report Ms Dyer said: "The indicative plans demonstrate that a development of this scale would fundamentally alter the appearance of the site and the contribution which it makes to the surrounding area.

"Given the importance which I have attributed to the site in maintaining the separation between Colchester and Eight Ash Green, the development would lead to a coalescence of the two settlements and would be harmful to the character and

appearance of the landscape."

However Ms Dyer rejected concerns about air quality and noise issues.

Her report added: "I acknowledge the concerns raised by local residents, in addition to those relating to the main issues which I have identified, including access, traffic, use of land as open space and potential for the development of the site to undermine the neighbourhood planning process."

But she said this would have had no bearing on her decision.

Lexden and Braiswick councillor Dennis Willetts welcomed the news and said the village had opposed development on this piece of land.

He said: “The principal reason for refusal of planning permission was the preservation of the green wedge between Eight Ash Green and Stanway.

"I am delighted that the Government planning inspector has upheld this common-sense decision, and supported the residents of the village."