CONTROVERSIAL development plans, which would see the size of a village swell by 10 per cent, have been referred to the highest level for review after the application was granted on appeal. Huntstowe Land submitted plans to build 50 homes on land just off Bardfield Road in Finchingfield back in 2019. The application was refused by Braintree District Council s Planning Committee in November 2019 after garnering significant opposition from village residents. Reasons behind the rejection included the development having a significantly adverse impact upon the landscape and character of the area. However, Huntstowe Land later appealed the decision and residents where left shocked and dismayed after appeal was successful, overturning the planning committee s decision on November 25 last year.