A BID to build a new residential development of up to eight bungalows has been refused by a council.

A planning application was submitted to Maldon District Council for a development of eight bungalows on land near the former Maldon Fencing Company on Burnham Road in Althorne.

However, the application by Great Canney Developments Limited has been rejected.

The council stated that the site lies within a rural location outside of settlement boundaries, and that it would badly influence the area’s character with an “unjustified” loss of employment land.

They also stated it would be too cut off from existing settlements and would be isolated and unsustainable.