Plans for 180 homes on the site of a garden centre in Clacton have been approved on appeal.
Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Planning Committee had turned down an application for the development on the St John’s Plant Centre site, citing concerns about the impact of noise, vibration and light on nearby homes.
However developers Kelsworth Ltd challenged the decision, and independent Planning Inspector Benjamin Webb ruled in their favour following an appeal hearing.
It means planning permission has been granted for the scheme, which includes 172 homes – a mixture of houses and apartments – as well as eight commercial units with flats above them. Under the approved scheme an existing property on St John’s Road would be demolished, along with the existing nursery buildings.
Gary Guiver, TDC Director of Planning, said the council’s focus would now be on ensuring the scheme is delivered to a high quality.
“This decision has been taken out of our hands, and we will now – as we do with all developments in our district once they are approved – work to ensure the scheme is done properly to help provide quality housing and commercial space to benefit Tendring.”
The Planning Inspector also awarded costs to Kelsworth Ltd, which are to be determined.
