LONG-RUNNING plans to demolish historic air raid shelters in Halstead to build 31 homes have been thrown out again.

Braintree Council refused the proposals in the town after concerns were raised over its “poor layout and design”, “detrimental impact on neighbouring properties”, “insufficient car parking provision” and more.

Halstead New Homes revealed the latest plans to develop the site on land east of Halstead High Street last October.

The site is located next to where the old Courtaulds silk factory once stood, which produced parachutes during the Second World War.

As a potential target for bomber attacks, 15 underground air raid shelters were built, along with a warden’s hut.

Last October, Braintree Council refused similar plans, before fresh proposals were re-submitted with slight changes.

The resubmitted plans once again proposed 31 new homes, as well as the retention of ten air raid shelters, two of which would become a “Second World War experience”.

The warden's hut would also be retained, which developers hope to convert into an information and visitor centre and café to celebrate the site.

The plans, however, still include the removal of five air raid shelters.

While Halstead Town Council welcomed the proposals for the shelters, describing it as the “best plan yet”, it objected to the application saying the houses are “not in keeping with the design of adjacent properties”.

Braintree Council’s planning team also recommended the project for refusal, saying the properties had a “poor layout and design” and “insufficient car parking provision”, causing a “detrimental impact on neighbouring properties”.

Discussing the plans at a planning meeting, councillor for Halstead Trinity Malcolm Fincken, who abstained when voting for or against the plans, said: “This has been a long saga, I was first aware of it when I got on to Halstead Town Council in 1979.

“Of all the plans put forward so far, this is the best by far.

“But it’s a highly sensitive site next to Halstead town centre. It’s next to the conservation area with many listed buildings.

“Therefore, it is very important the design and layout are got right, and I know that is the big reservation we have got about this proposal.

“I think everybody in Halstead wants to see this come to a conclusion.

“A proposal has come forward which is better than we’ve had before, it’s not perfect but maybe there isn’t a perfect solution.

“But we would like to see the site developed, we think it would be an asset to Halstead and we think we can find a solution which is acceptable to all parties.”

The application was refused.