The Jotmans Farm campaign had another triumph as a housing developer’s second attempt to lodge an appeal against a ban on them building homes on the plot of land was thrown out.

Housing developer, Persimmon, wanted to build 265 homes on the plot of land off Jotman Lane in Benfleet but the application was denied by Castle Point Council.

The developers then took the case to government but the decision made by Castle Point Council was upheld by the Secretary of State.

Now the developer has made another two attempts to appeal the Secretary of State’s decision at the High Court.

But, during an oral hearing at the High Court on October 31, Her Honour Mrs Justice Lang refused permission for the developer to appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision.

As a result, the developer had to pay £8,500 in legal costs to the Secretary of State.

Campaigners are pleased with the outcome and hope that this will mark the end of developers trying to build homes on Jotmans Farm.

MP for Castle Point, Rebecca Harris, said: “This is marvellous; we are very blessed to have had this development thrown out.

“But now the council needs to move rapidly and get its own plan and build houses.”

Councillor Andrew Sheldon added: “I am very pleased that the judge upheld the Secretary of State’s decision.

“Jotmans is hopefully finally safe from the threat of anymore development.

“Myself, the local MP and local residents have fought hard against this development and it just goes to show that a very determined community can beat the developers’ millions.”

Sue Buhr, from The Save Jotmans Farm campaign group, is also pleased but concerned that this is not the end of the battle.

She said: “We are still on tenderhooks. Until they say they are not going to build there then we are still not in the clear.

“They can afford to have these appeals thrown out. £8,500 is just pocket-money for them.”