An old petrol station which has been left abandoned and unloved for years will remain intact after plans to build homes in its place were thrown out.

CCC Property wanted to demolish the buildings which make up the former Ambrose Garage along Colchester Road in Bures Hamlet and build four new houses.

The site has also been used as an estate agents and car wash in the past, but has remained empty and abandoned for several years.

Bures Hamlet Parish Council had given its backing to the plans, but Braintree Council refused planning permission.

The officers’ report which was put before councillors on Tuesday evening said the risk of flooding on the site and impact the proposed homes could have on the area were key reasons behind the decision to recommend refusal.

The report stated: “The site sits wholly in flood zone two and partly within flood zone three. The aim should be to keep development out of medium and high flood-risk areas (Flood Zones two and three) and other areas affected by other sources of flooding where possible.”

Officers also said the development would have detrimental impact on the to the character of the site and was “out of character with the existing development layout in that part of the village.”