Up to 2,000 homes at Land North Of Bournes Green Chase, Southend-on-Sea

What was proposed

The outline scheme proposed up to 2,000 homes, education and healthcare facilities, a local centre, public park and supporting infrastructure.

“Table 2.1: Proposed Uses Proposed Use Quantum Residential (Use Class C3) Up to 2,000 dwellings Later Living Accommodation Up to 150 units Health Centre (Class E(e)) Up to 1,200 sqm GIA Flexible Commercial and Community Floorspace (Class E/F2(b)) Up to 2,200 sqm GIA Primary School Two-form entry primary school Nursery (Class E(f)) 243–371 sqm GIA Public Open Space Approximately 40.81 hectares Strategic Park Approximately 23.28 hectares (GIA – Gross Internal Area) Housing…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 94.8-hectare site was mainly open agricultural land with hedgerows, drainage ditches and a public right of way, and was designated Green Belt.

“Site and Surroundings 1.1 The site extends to some 94.8 hectares and is predominantly composed of open agricultural land. This land is subdivided into smaller parcels by a network of hedgerows and drainage ditches. In the south-western corner of the site lies TruGym Thorpe Bay, occupying around one hectare. The site contains no other built form and is largely green field.”

“Wakering to a ribbon of development extending for around 2.25 km through Little Wakering, continuing northwards to the village of Barling. The south-eastern boundary of the site lies adjacent to the built-up area of North Shoebury, beyond which is Shoeburyness at the eastern extent of the City of Southend. To the south, the site is bounded by the A13 (Bournes Green Chase).”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions included a golf course and highway works, while a farm shop application was refused and the permissions were not implemented.

“Table 3.1: Relevant Planning History of the Application Site Reference Description Outcome [Date] 00/00235/FUL Lay out 18 hole golf course with practice area; erect clubhouse, shop, bar, function rooms and flat, erect maintenance building, construct driving range, lay out car park with access to Southend Road; divert public footpath (Renewal of SOS/94/0504) Permission Granted 03.05.01 01/00853/TEL Replace existing lighting mast with 10m high shared telecommunications and…”

“Planning permission SOS/00/00235/FUL was granted in April 2000 for the creation of an 18- hole golf course, driving range, clubhouse, maintenance buildings, car parking, associated landscaping, a new access onto Southend Road and diversion of a public right of way. The permission represented a renewal of an earlier consent and was subject to highway and access obligations.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a legal agreement, conditions and consultation with the Secretary of State because the benefits outweighed identified harms.

“Officers are satisfied that matters relating to design quality, heritage, highways and transportation, drainage and flood risk, ecology, environmental impacts, residential amenity and infrastructure delivery can be appropriately addressed through the recommended planning conditions, Section 106 obligations and future reserved matters submissions.”

“Taking all matters into account, officers conclude that the delivery of up to 2,000 homes, including significant affordable housing provision that exceeds, by half again, the 30% prescribed within the Council’s local plan policy, together with the extensive package of education, healthcare, transport, community and green infrastructure benefits, clearly outweigh the identified Green Belt and other harms identified.”

Officer report

What people and consultees said

There were 315 objections, mainly about traffic, infrastructure, services, environmental effects, Green Belt, drainage, development scale and residential amenity.

“Neighbour Representations 4.2 The Council has undertaken its statutory duty to publicise and consult on the planning application. An initial round of consultation was undertaken in January 2026, during which notification letters were sent to 468 surrounding properties. In addition, site notices were displayed in the vicinity of the site, and a press advertisement was published in accordance with the relevant publicity requirements.”

“Car parking stress in surrounding roads • Bus routes under pressure • Additional delivery vehicles throughout the development • Traffic noise 2. Infrastructure Capacity & Utilities • Local infrastructure should be improved prior to building homes • Impact on local infrastructure – schools, utilities and roads • Sewage infrastructure is at capacity • Capacity of water and drainage cannot deal with additional homes (Thorpe Hall Avenue flooding) • Loss of natural flood plain…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A local resident spoke against the application, the applicant’s agent responded, and several councillors spoke during the meeting.

The committee’s decision

The committee refused planning permission, finding Green Belt harm, agricultural land loss and housing mix concerns outweighed the benefits, with referral to the Secretary of State.

“The proposed development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt and is therefore harmful by definition, it will cause harm to the openness of the Green Belt and be contrary to the purposes of the Green Belt. The proposed development will cause harm through the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and does not meet the City’s affordable housing needs for social rented housing and affordable housing typologies.”

“The resolution is subject to referral to the Secretary of State as required by the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2026.”

Minutes