CONTROVERSIAL plans for almost 200 homes and a new health centre in Great Bentley have been thrown out by a Government planning inspector.

City & Country submitted three linked planning applications for different sites in the village – totalling 190 homes – to Tendring Council.

They included 75 homes north of Thorrington Road, 75 homes west of Plough Road and up to 40 homes south of Thorrington Road, as well as funds for a new health centre, an additional site for Great Bentley Primary School and public open space.

The council refused the applications in June last year, but the developers appealed.

A planning inspector has now dismissed the appeals and rejected an application by City & Country for the council to pay its appeal costs.

The inspector ruled that the council could demonstrate a five-year supply of housing across Tendring, so development outside settlement boundaries would not be acceptable as there is no immediate housing shortfall to tip the balance in favour of house-building.

He also said the development would unacceptably harm the landscape and heritage of Great Bentley, and said that overall “these three proposals would bring a further increase in housing development that would be clearly disproportionate in relation to the size and status of the village”.

A spokesman for the council said it welcomed the decision, adding: “It is important that future development is led by our Local Plan, which will protect the heritage and landscape of the district while ensuring any growth is sustainable.”

David Fletcher, of agents Strutt and Parker, previously said the plans should be considered in “exceptional light” given the social benefits planned for the village, including funding for the health centre.