PLANS to create a new 255 home estate in a village have been thrown out by planners.

Bloor Homes submitted a planning application to Colchester Council for the homes on land off Maldon Road, Tiptree.

The plans included parking, public open space, a link road and the provision of parent drop-off area for Tiptree Heath Primary School.

Of the 255 homes, 30 per cent would have been considered affordable.

A planning statement from the developers said there would be pockets of green space throughout the site, as well as designated areas of public open space.

But planners rejected the bid amid concerns it would create a “harmful urbanisation” of the village.

The notice said: “The proposed development site would result in a measurable increased coalescence between the main Tiptree settlement and the hamlet of Tiptree Heath.

“Furthermore it is considered the development would result in the harmful urbanisation of the settlement edge, which is currently characterised by modest buildings interspersed with intervening significant areas of undeveloped countryside.”

Council officers also argued the application was outside the settlement boundary for Tiptree and the proposal was not allocated in the local plan.

The report added: “The council can demonstrate in excess of a five year housing land supply and considers that in this case, the public benefits are demonstrably outweighed by conflict with the adopted Local Plan, emerging Local Plan and Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan.”

Planners also raised concerns about mitigating the impact on habitats and that no legally binding mechanism was in place to ensure the developer would meet the planning obligations around affordable housing, education and health.

An exhibition event was held last year after which residents raised concerns over traffic and the impact on schools and doctors’ surgeries.