Harlow Council's planning committee has turned down an application to build two new properties in the grounds of Fairfield in Tye Green Village.

Cllr Lorna Spenceley spoke against the application, which planning officers had recommended for consent. She pointed out that council planning policy H10 allowed infill developments to be refused if they would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the area, and that listed building and conservation experts at County Hall had advised against giving planning permission for this reason. Other planning committee members agreed, and the application was refused.

Meanwhile, an application for two new dwellings at East Park was agreed, as was a temporary modular construction style hall for New Life Christian Fellowship behind Manor Hatch at Purford Green.

An application for development at Walfords Close in Old Harlow was deferred to allow the council to consult with residents at Brummell Place.

Both Lorna and Cllr Eleanor Macy had to withdraw from consideration of the planning application for the new skateboard park, as they had been members of the Environment & Community Committee when the proposal was discussed there, but the application was approved with only one change - floodlighting would be allowed between three o'clock and ten o'clock, not eleven o'clock as in the application.