Planning consent for a high-class, 106-bedroom hotel in Maldon has been refused an extension.

The refusal followed concerns the two-year extension would "mislead" the applicant into believing alternative plans for a smaller budget hotel would be acceptable.

A three-year approval for the bigger hotel at Maldon Hall Farm, Spital Road, was given in 1997, but the developers asked for two more years.

Developers claim they need time to carry out talks with a prospective buyer who is suggesting a 60-bedroom budget hotel and a family pub/restaurant.

The planning, highways and environment committee blocked the renewal.

Roy Pipe (Ind Con, Maldon) said: "We are being asked to turn a three-year consent into a five-year one. This could mislead the applicant into believing if the negotiations are completed, approval would be given for the budget hotel."

Andrew White, director of planning services, told the meeting it was not dealing with an application to alter the present consent and any application for a different type of hotel would have to come before the committee in the usual way.

"We wanted a high class, well designed hotel that would blend into the countryside."

He was supported by Bryan Harker (Con, Heybridge) who said to allow the planning approval extension when it had been made clear it was for a 60 bedroom hotel would "give the green light."

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