THE developer behind a controversial proposal for a long-awaited health centre has confirmed that a revised design will be put forward after the initial application was rejected by planning chiefs last month.

Bill Bampton, director of Langley Upper Green-based Pelham Structures, the firm behind the plans to build a state-of-the-art medical centre in Lower Street, Stansted Mountfitchet, informed the parish council of the latest development at a meeting last Wednesday (June 13).

It comes just weeks after the initial application was narrowly rejected by the planning committee at Uttlesford District Council on the grounds that the development was “overbearing” and the design was “not in keeping with the surrounding street scene”.

A number of members compared the original design to the Titanic, while Cllr Bob Eastham said it would be like “sticking a wart on Stansted’s face”.

Stansted Parish Council chairman Geoffrey Sell welcomed the decision to alter the design.

“Many residents, myself included, were unhappy with the original ultra modern design put forward by Pelham Structures, and Bill Bampton has accepted that it was like Marmite – either people liked it or hated it.

“He is now in an advanced stage of putting together a fresh design, which will be traditional, and has volunteered to show the parish council the plans before submitting them.”

Mr Bampton confirmed that a redesign was in the works and said the structure would still be a mixed-use development, with retail, residential and health centre facilities.

He said it would be a traditional building – what he said he wanted it to be in the first place, even though he was told by planners they wanted a modern design – and that it would be four metres shorter than the original proposal.