CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a car garage business to make way for more than 20 homes have gone to appeal after a council missed its deadline to make a decision.
Kelvedon Village Developments first submitted the plans to Braintree Council in November 2022.
The proposals are for the redevelopment of the Deal of Kelvedon garage in Station Road.
Plans outline the demolition of the garage and other buildings, which would be replaced by three new buildings containing 24 residential flats, a new shop unit, commercial space, access road as well as car and cycle parking for residents.
The car garage would move to a commercial building adjacent the site and the operation of the business would continue.
The applicant has appealed against the 'non-determination' of the planning application, with the date for the appeal hearing has been set by the Planning Inspectorate for June 18.
Despite no longer being able to rule on the application, Braintree Council says it would have refused the plans.
A planning statement reads: “The proposals would fail to preserve or enhance the setting of the Kelvedon Conservation Area resulting in a low level of less than substantial harm to its significance.
“Further harm would be caused by the poor layout and design of the proposals, poor internal and external amenity for future residents, an unneighbourly relationship with existing occupiers and insufficient parking spaces.
“The proposal would also fail to provide on-site affordable housing or an adequate financial contribution in lieu of on-site affordable housing.
“It is recommended had the local planning authority been in a position to determine the application, that planning permission would be refused.”
Discussing the plans at the latest planning meeting, councillor Gabrielle Spray said: “For me what stood out when I looked at this earlier was the design - for me, really disappointing and really poor.
“It doesn’t inspire me in any way at all and it doesn’t fit in with what is currently in the village.
“It is just poor. And I honestly don’t know what else to say about it.”
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