A new 300 home estate would not damage the heritage assets of Bocking, a developer has claimed.

Gladman Developments is appealing Braintree Council’s decision to deny it permission to build 300 homes on land off Church Street, in the village.

Another application for 265 was also rejected by the council and inspector Zoe Hill is considering this appeal at the same time.

At the hearing on Friday, all three parties gave their final submissions of evidence.

Gail Stoten, Heritage Director of Pegasus Group, said the development would not cause serious harm to nearby grade-II listed property Harriet’s Farm House.

She said: “In the national planning policy there are two levels to heritage assets and this is the lower.

“It has an associated farm building which makes a modest contribution, but it is not in the same ownership.

“The house itself has been a private dwelling for more than 100 years.

“There was once an association between the site and the building, however the farm house is no longer a farm house.

“The overall contribution of the site is very small in terms of heritage assets. It is my opinion the harm caused would be very minor.”

Braintree Council claims the makeup of the area will be seriously altered by the development.

Terry Surrey, of Bocking and High Garrett Action group, was refused an opportunity to submit extra evidence after a Gladman objection.

Mr Surrey disputed claims Church Street was a “safe and convenient” cycling route for residents.

Inspector Mrs Hill visited the site in Church Street on Tuesday, before bringing the appeal to a close yesterday. A decision is expected to take up to six weeks.