MALDON'S waterfront will be transformed into a busy leisure complex after controversial plans were given the go-ahead this week – if the developer plants more trees.
Proposals to develop Sadds Wharf, off Station Road, were given outline planning permission in 2009.
But after opposition from the public, Maldon District Council refused to grant full planning permission in March, claiming the glass building was too big and ugly.
But after bosses at Manchester-based Baltic Consortium, the firm behind the project, took the council's decision to a planning appeal in August, the inspector chairing the inquiry has now ruled the complex can go ahead, if the developers "plant a few more trees".
The plans are for 93 apartments, offices, shops and restaurants.
Anastasia Fuller, who lives in Market Hill, and is head of the residents' opposition group, said: "I think this is a disappointing decision, for the main reason that the approved buildings will create a very poor visual relationship with the existing landscape and be out of context in Maldon.
"I think the proposed scheme will have a detrimental impact on the character of the Blackwater estuary."
The Sadds Wharf site was owned by the Sadd family, who imported and exported their timber by barge, but trading stopped towards the end of the 20th century.
Residents opposed to the plans claimed the development, which would be made of steel and glass, would overlook their properties, be detrimental to a special conservation area and cause an increase in traffic and noise.
Nancy Harrison, of Downs Road, which overlooks the Sadds Wharf site, said: "It's quite confusing what the decision means, but I think simply the developers have to plant more trees and everything else can stay the same."
Judy Lea, from the Maldon Society, said: "Despite local opposition the big Sadds Wharf development won its appeal.
"It will be big and ugly because of a preconception that as the new buildings replace industry they can be big, ugly and bulky."
She said the site, being at the head of the river, would have lent itself to something more special and claimed an opportunity had been lost when the plans were granted outline permission back in 2009.
Addressing the residents' concerns, planning inspector Robert Marshall said: "The proposed apartments would be sufficiently distant from houses on the southern bank of the river for no unacceptable harm to be caused to living conditions through over-dominance or loss of privacy.
"There is no substantial evidence that light from windows in the proposed development would be a hazard to navigation or harmful to wildlife."
He also concluded the scale and appearance of the site would result in a "visually attractive environment" in the town.
Mrs Fuller added: "Both the council and the local community invested a lot of hard work into the appeal, but unfortunately it was too little, too late.
"I'm not aware of any future action the community or the council will pursue in this case and as far as I know the only authority that can require a reconsideration of an inspector's decision is a High Court ruling."
