12 EV charging spaces at Land North West Of Central House, Eagle Way, Great Warley

What was proposed

The application proposed twelve parking spaces, six double chargers and supporting equipment on about 600 square metres of land.

“This application relates to the provision of twelve parking spaces with six double electric vehicle chargers and supporting infrastructure on an area of land measuring approximately 600 sqm. The land is to the front of the former Ford building, on the west edge of the frontage open space, adjacent to the junction of Eagle Way and Clive Road.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a prominent grassed area beside Eagle Way and Clive Road, forming part of the former Ford building’s open setting.

“The site is currently a grassed area facing Eagle Way, part of the open garden setting associated with the former Ford HQ. The site is contained by a stepped low wall of approximately half a dozen courses of bricks, topped by concrete coping. Along its Clive Road frontage there is also a trimmed low hedge of approximately a metre in height. There are clear public views into and over the site and its boundaries. To the south is the established car park.”

Officer report

Earlier site decisions

Earlier applications included redevelopment for homes and a care home, office-to-residential prior approvals, and permission for thirteen dwellings.

“20/01111/FUL: Redevelopment of the site to provide 133 residential dwellings (use class C3) with ancillary parking, open space and other associated development [detailed application] and 0.6ha of land for a care home (use class C2) including details of access only (matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved) [outline application].”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the facility would cause visual harm, reduce openness and harm the settings of heritage assets despite its public benefit.

“The provision of a facility of ultra rapid chargers for charging up to twelve electric vehicles in an area currently poorly served by such facilities provides moderate weight in favour of the scheme. However this is considered to be out weighed by the visual harm of the charging area and its infrastructure, taking up a prominent position in the street scene and eroding the open setting of the former Ford building, a non designated heritage asset.”

“The development would cause a high level of less than substantial harm to the significance and setting of the former Ford HQ building, considered as a non designated heritage asset, and would also adversely affect the setting of the nearby Grade II listed building, Blenheim House, through its impact on the broader townscape and frontage views.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Highway Authority found the impact acceptable, while conservation and landscape officers raised concerns about harm, planting and the prominent location.

“The information submitted with the application has been fully considered by the Highway Authority. From a highway and transportation perspective the impact of the proposal is acceptable to the Highway Authority as it is not contrary to its Development Management policies relating to safety, accessibility, efficiency/capacity, road hierarchy and parking standards.”

“The location is close to the junction between Eagle Way and Clive Road which is visually prominent. In the original landscape scheme this area was to be maintained with wildflower grassland. This proposal will result in car parking being more prominent which is disappointing.”

Officer report

Neighbour responses

The application received no neighbour responses when the report was prepared.

“Where applications are subject to public consultation those comments are summarised below. The full version of each neighbour response can be viewed on the Council’s website via Public Access at the following link: http://publicaccess.brentwood.gov.uk/online-applications/”

“This application was advertised by way of a site notice and neighbour notification letters and at the time of writing no responses have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The officer presented the report, the applicant’s representative explained the chosen site, and two ward councillors addressed the committee.

Members’ debate

Members debated the need for ultra-rapid chargers against the maintained view, the altered surroundings and the failure to plan chargers earlier.

“Members’ views were mixed. Upon redevelopment significant work took place in maintaining an unobstructed view. Members felt the charging facility should have been planned at inception. Other Members pointed out the brutalist architecture surrounding the site and the fact that the area has been radically altered. It is a balance whether the provision of ultra rapid chargers outweighs the visual harm.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to refuse was moved and seconded, members voted, and one councillor who arrived during the debate did not vote.

“A motion was MOVED by Cllr M Cuthbert to REFUSE the application. This was SECONDED by Cllr Parker.”

“Cllr Baldock arrived during the debate and did not vote.”

Minutes