CONCERNED residents are breathing a sigh of relief after a three-year battle over a planned development came to an end.

An appeal over a decision made to reject proposals for 40 new homes in Halstead was dismissed in what is being hailed as a victory for residents.

Plans were submitted in August 2019 to build the 40 new homes on land next to Crowbridge Farm, in Chapel Hill.

In February the plans for the development, which were submitted by Go Homes, were rejected by Braintree planners, sparking the appeal.

The application was rejected due to concerns including the impact on a Grade II listed barn at Crowbridge Farm and the damage to the rural character and appearance of the area.

The development also received strong objection from nearby residents with protesters forming the ‘Hands of Chapel Hill and Sloe Hill’ campaign group.

The group was made up of residents from Chapel Hill, Sloe Hill and White Ash Green who all objected to Go Homes’ proposal to build the new houses close to a Grade II listed barn.

It has been a long battle for the objectors who have been protesting against developments on the site since 2017.

Prior to Go Homes’ application for 40 homes in 2019, the developers made an application to build 70 homes on the site.

That application and the appeal that followed were also turned down.

Campaigners say prior to the 70-homes plan, the original proposal would have seen 90 homes built. The 2020 appeal was dismissed this month, with the main reasons being similar to the initial rejection.

Braintree planners felt the development would have too great an impact on the character and appearance of the rural area but also expressed concerns over the damage the development could have on wildlife such as bats.

Coordinator for the Hands Off Chapel Hill and Sloe Hill, councillor Pete Caulfield, says it is a victory for residents.

He said: “This is the developer’s third attempt to build on this valued landscape.

“The original application for 90 homes was refused and then reduced to 70, which was also turned down on appeal.

“We are obviously very relieved that this latest attempt to build 40 homes has also been rejected by the planning inspector.

“This estate would have been outside the town’s development boundary and intruded into one of the most valued scenic views in Halstead, and with so many unsold houses on existing developments, there was no way was it fulfilling a housing need.

“This is a good result for the town, which is sinking under the weight of new-builds unsupported by an effective infrastructure.”