A COUNCIL has thrown out controversial plans to expand a business park.

Beckingham Business Park, in Tolleshunt Major, put forward plans for 13 new industrial and business units, an office block and a café.

The plans were recommended for approval when they went forward to Maldon District Council’s planning committee.

One resident who objected to the plans said: “I’ve lived in the village for over 33 years and although the business park preceded my occupation, over that period we’ve seen a substantial increase in the number of vehicles travelling to and from the park.

“The sizeable lorries travelling on our county roads is unsustainable.

“There are currently at least 16 vacant units at the park.

“There is clearly not sufficient appetite for the business park as seen from the vacant units there and the conversion of some units into flats.

Councillor Mark Durnham was among those who rejected the plans.

He said: “In our lives as councillors, we get contacted by our residents on a wide number of occasions and reasons.

“Beckingham Business Park has been a substantial contributor to my inbox over the last few years.

“I think I’ve been provided a wide variety of evidence over the years regarding parking on the roads adjacent, obstructions caused by vans and HGVs.

“To support the residents that live around the park who put up with the anti-social parking, and increased number of HGVs, I am going to move away from my normal stance of supporting everything in the Local Development Plan because I fear there are significant aspects of this that need resolving to the local residents’ satisfaction.”

There was a unanimous vote against the proposal. A total of 35 objections had been made, including Tolleshunt Major, Little Totham Parish and Tolleshunt D’Arcy parish councils, and residents.