PLANS to build 40 homes on a former oil depot have been refused at a planning meeting.

Councillors unanimously voted against the proposal for land west of Hedingham Road, Gosfield, saying the site was too close to a busy and dangerous road.

The proposal referred to a 1.77 hectare piece of land, equivalent to almost three football pitches, which was used as an oil depot for the airfield but is now used as storage.

If successful, the development would have seen 16 affordable properties built, equivalent to 40 per cent of the properties.

During the meeting on Tuesday, councillor Gabrielle Spray said: “I’m not massively keen on where the affordable housing is being placed, it sort of seems to be the back corner of the site, which I just don’t think is terribly appropriate.

“It’s not something we are aiming for, we quite like affordable housing to be more integrated with the site rather than being stuck in the back corner, which to me is pretty much what this looks like.

“I don’t believe we should approve an application like this just to make up the numbers.”

Essex County Council highways objected to the application because of highway safety, saying the access road would be too busy and there is insufficient land to provide a footway extension in to the village.

The council’s flood and water management team also objected because of an inadequate surface water drainage strategy.

But Gosfield Parish Council supported the application, saying the site had been empty for a number of years.

During the meeting, councillor David Mann said: “I tend to agree with the officer’s conclusion.

“It’s the location I have a problem with, it is so far beyond the existing development boundary and so it appears as a sort of stand alone hamlet if you like.

“I notice there is a lack of objections from residents and neighbours, that’s because there isn’t any so that’s hardly to be expected.”