10 new dwellings at Green Acres, Ivy Chimneys, Epping

What was proposed

The application proposed 10 new dwellings, a dedicated access, a noise attenuation bund, fencing and associated development.

“Planning permission is sought on behalf of Greenacres Real Estate Ltd for the Construction of 10 no. new dwellings together with dedicated access from Ivy Chimneys Road, a noise attenuation bund and fencing and associated development.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.81-hectare site lies south of Epping, near residential streets, open fields, the M25 and a railway line.

“The site is located to the south of Epping and measures approximately 0.81 hectares. Surrounding the site to the north are residential streets namely Ivy Chimneys Road and Bridge Hill. The land to the east currently comprises of open fields adjacent to the M25 motorway which sits directly south of the application site. Further east of the site is a railway line running north south.”

“The site is not within a Conservation Area, nor does it contain any listed buildings or features of historic interest. It is wholly within Flood Zone 1, where there is a low probability of flooding.”

Officer report

Planning background

The site forms part of an endorsed strategic masterplan, and a separate nine-home development nearby was approved subject to a legal agreement.

“As discussed above this site is a small parcel of land currently acquired by Greenacres Real Estate Ltd to the west of a much larger allocated site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan. As part of the site’s allocation the South Epping Strategic Masterplan (SESMA) and an associated design code has been produced and formally endorsed by the Council.”

“Along with the parcel of land subject to this planning application the wider Strategic Masterplan site comprises a large area of land to the east currently in the ownership of Bellway Homes and a second large area of land to the west controlled by Barwood. There is a further small parcel of land to the north which is similar in size to this application site owned by Mount Street Developments.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme followed the masterplan and design code, provided acceptable homes and parking, and avoided significant harm.

“This site is a small parcel of land currently acquired by Greenacres Real Estate Ltd to the far west of a much larger allocated site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan. As part of the site’s allocation the South Epping Strategic Masterplan (SESMA) has been produced and has been formally endorsed by the Council. As such the principle of redeveloping the site to provide up to 10 family dwellings on this plot has already been established.”

“Overall, this scheme reflects the aims and objectives of the endorsed Masterplan, and the detailed design and layout of the scheme is in accordance with the associated Design Code. As such approval of the application is recommended subject to a S106 agreement securing the following: -”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Six residents and several organisations objected or raised concerns, while highways, drainage, ecology, design and other consultees raised no objection subject to conditions.

“It is considered that the information in support of the application is acceptable and a number of internal and external consultees covering matters such as highways, drainage, contaminated land and ecology have been consulted and raise no objection, subject to conditions. Concerns relating to management of the site is secured by way of condition.”

“EFDC Drainage Officer-No objection, subject to conditions. ECC SUDS-Updated comments to be reported prior to committee. ARUP-The applicant is able to reply on the mitigation identified in the Interim Air Pollution mitigation Strategy in order to demonstrate that the proposal would not have an adverse effect on the EFSAC either ‘alone’ or in combination’ with other plans and projects. ECC Ecology-No objection, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the planning officer, an objector, the applicant’s agent and a ward councillor.

What members discussed

Members discussed traffic and parking, were reminded of the highways position, and were reminded that the site was allocated within the endorsed masterplan.

“The committee raised concerns in relation to traffic and parking, and were reminded that Essex County Council had raised no objection to the development subject to those conditions as included in the report…”

“The committee were reminded that this site was an allocated site within the larger allocated site and the South Epping Strategic Masterplan (SESMA) had been endorsed by the Council.”

Minutes

The votes

Members first voted against the officers’ recommendation, then voted in favour when no valid refusal reason was proposed.

“Members of the committee voted against the officers recommendation.”

“In order to move forward with the application as no valid reason for refusal was proposed, the committee held a further vote on the application, and voted in favour of the officer recommendation.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved subject to a Section 106 legal agreement, with conditions and the required infrastructure and mitigation arrangements.

“Resolved: The Committee voted to APPROVE the application (subject to S106 Legal Agreement).”

Minutes