A plan to build an estate of 17 houses in an historic part of Braintree was given the go ahead by councillors.

Permission was given for the development of an estate of two- and three-bedroom houses to the rear of Church Lane, Braintree.

Councillors agreed to the plan from Rutland Country Homes at a meeting of the Braintree Area Committee last night.

But because the development lies in an historically sensitive area some 38 planning conditions accompanied the agreement.

David Mann (Lab, Bocking North) said: "This land is a very special area of Bocking with a character all of its own.

"And it does appear the applicants have made a genuine effort to overcome some of the problems spelt out by residents."

But David Andrews, resident of Church Lane was unhappy with the plan, he said in question time: "The area is part of the historical environment of Bocking, which should be taken into account."

Published Wednesday August 14, 2002

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