The Government will decide on whether 200 houses will be built next to Elsenham Railway Station.

Bloor Homes has applied directly to the planning inspectorate for outline permission for a residential development next to the station.

Uttlesford District Council was designated in February this year over the quality of its decision making on major applications. This means developers can bypass the council.

According to a design and access statement, the proposed site in Station Road borders a separate site in which planning permission for 350 homes has already been granted.

A section read: “The land east of Station Road presents an excellent opportunity to sensitively extend Elsenham and create a high quality new residential neighbourhood which responds to its setting.

“Short walking and cycle links to existing and planned transport and social infrastructure will allow a sustainable new community to flourish, set in a network of biodiverse open spaces.”

Acting as a consultee, the council’s planning committee will meet next week to discuss the plans.

Residents have been consulted through an online survey. According to a summary of responses outlined in a council report, 100 per cent of those surveyed did not like the proposed scheme. The report does not specify how many people responded to the survey.

It continues to say the key issues raised by those surveyed are traffic and transport, a lack of infrastructure including GP practices and schools and local amenities, inadequate road infrastructure and interest in retaining green space.

Only 40 per cent said they felt affordable housing was important and 40 per cent were neutral.

Roughly 80 of the homes proposed in the scheme will be affordable, in line with the council’s policy of 40 per cent for major developments.

Final details for the neighbouring scheme, which will also include a new primary school in addition to 350 new houses and is also being developed by Bloor Homes, were approved by the council in May.

The decision to designate Uttlesford District Council relates to the number of applications turned over on appeal between April 2018 and March 2020. Applications for major development can now be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate.