REVISED plans to bring a new housing estate to Sible Hedingham have been rejected by council planners. 

Developers Land Allocation and EHA Farms wanted the go-ahead from Braintree Council to build 73 homes just west of Prayors Hill.

The plans were first submitted back in October 2019 and looked to bring 90 homes to the area. 

However, there was strong opposition from residents and Sible Hedingham Parish Council with the original application sparking more than 50 objections.

Residents were against the application at the time due to concerns over road safety at the site’s two proposed access junctions on Wethersfield Road and Prayors Hill.

Objectors also voiced concerns over the potential impact on the rural character and infrastructure of the village.

As a result, the plans were revised in March but once again faced criticism from residents. 

The latest revision came in November which saw the number of houses drop from 90 to 73.

Throughout the duration of the application a total of 83 objections were submitted to Braintree Council planning website. 

Despite the recent revisions to the plan, the council planners made their decision on December 17 with the verdict being to reject the proposals. 

Reasons for the rejection included concerns over the impact the development would have on multiple grade listed buildings and conservation areas, a rare bat species and its habitat, the village’s countryside rural aesthetic. 

The council said: “The proposal would cause harm to the setting of the Sible Hedingham Church Street conservation area, the Grade II* listed Church of St Peter, Grade II listed Prayors Hill Cottage, and Prayors Hill Farmhouse and Barn.”

The decision will be seen a a victory by many residents, with fears of overdevelopment a major concern generally in the Halstead area. 

It comes as multiple developments are planned for the area including 130 homes on Mount Hill, Halstead, which is due to see a decision in the coming weeks.