Up to 30 homes at Land to North of Colchester Road Elmstead, Elmstead Market

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 30 dwellings, associated infrastructure, public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage, with access considered.

“Development: Outline Planning Application (access to be considered) - for up to 30 dwellings and associated infrastructure including public open space, landscaping, and sustainable drainage.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is open arable land outside but adjoining Elmstead Market’s settlement boundary, bordered by development, roads, trees and hedgerows.

“The application site lies wholly outside but abuts the settlement development boundary (SDB) for Elmstead Market to its northern and eastern boundaries. To the north is a recent residential development at Tye Green/Barley Lane; to the East is more established sheltered housing at Meadow Close; to the South lies the busy A133 Colchester Road with farmland beyond; and to the west lies Tye Road with agricultural land beyond.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because housing, affordable homes, economic benefits, open space and biodiversity gains outweighed limited and manageable harm.

“While the proposal lies outside the SDB and therefore conflicts with Policies SPL1 and SPL2, it abuts the SDB to two boundaries. Conflict with the ENP is limited. Landscape impact is contained and can be mitigated effectively through reserved matters design, landscaping and layout. It would deliver up to 30 homes including 30% affordable housing. The scheme would generate economic benefits during construction and through additional local expenditure.”

“Balanced against this, the proposal would deliver up to 30 dwellings, including policy-compliant affordable housing, in the context of a significant district-wide housing shortfall, together with associated economic and social benefits.”

Officer report

What people raised

Objections included the site’s countryside location, green buffer, access through Meadow Close, traffic, drainage, schools, healthcare, public services and cumulative development.

“Out of all interaction with the Elmstead Neighbourhood Plan we must draw special consideration to policy ELM13 Managing Traffic. Specifically, location i being the junction between Oatlands and the A133 where it is assumed most of the development traffic will access the wider road network.”

“The proposal does not address the route or considerations for HGV construction traffic to access the site, but we would suggest such traffic will be of a frequency and scale that safe transit through Meadow Close is impossible. When a prior much smaller development was built adjacent to Meadow Close, construction vehicles, especially vans, clogged the local roads blocking visibility splays at junctions and endangering pedestrians.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, while a member of the public, the parish council chairman and two ward members spoke against the application.

A deferral was proposed

Councillors moved to defer the application for further information about ownership, the footpath, access and the effect on residential amenity.

“It was moved by Councillor Alexander, seconded by Councillor Goldman that the application be deferred on the reasons as follows:-”

“- Ownership; - What happens to the footpath; - A clearer plan for the access point; and - Further consideration by the applicant of the impact on amenity.”

Minutes