Councillors have branded a "suburban extension" to one of Essex’s most remote villages as unsustainable.

Applicant Rocol Estates Ltd wants to build 18 houses in the village of Elmdon and has applied directly to the government planning inspectorate for permission.

According to planning documents, the homes would only cause limited harm to the countryside and this would be outweighed by the scheme’s benefits.

But acting as a consultee, Uttlesford District Council’s planning committee voted at a meeting yesterday (March 8) to object to the plans as they head to the inspector for a decision.

Councillor Judy Emanuel (Residents for Uttlesford, Newport) told the committee the village, which is miles away from its nearest schools, bus services and shops, is "about as remote as you get in Uttlesford" and said roughly one third of all the buildings there are listed.

She said: "It looks like a suburban extension. This doesn’t look like anything in Uttlesford." She later said: "It’s a beautiful, special village and this doesn’t reflect that."

Councillor Garry LeCount (RfU, Elsenham and Henham) said: "The size of this development, it just doesn’t fit."

The Ickleton Road site is currently used for horse grazing and exercise, but is considered agricultural land.

If approved, the houses themselves would be laid out in an oval around a central drainage pond. Additionally, the plans also include an access road, park, footpaths and car parking spaces for each of the homes.

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According to a design and access statement submitted alongside the application: "It is the applicant’s case that this proposal would represent sustainable development that would enhance the viability of existing community facilities and services, and deliver a significant number of new dwellings in the context of a significant shortfall in terms of supply."

Uttlesford District Council was designated last year, the equivalent of being placed in special measures. This means developers have the option of bypassing the council and applying straight to the government for permission for their schemes.

The planning committee will write a letter to the inspectorate objecting to the farm ahead of a hearing later this year.