Four EV chargers at 26 Lawford Place, Lawford, Manningtree

What was proposed

The application proposed four electric vehicle charging units in the existing parking area at Lawford Place.

“Development: Planning Application - Installation of 4no. electric vehicle (EV) car chargers to parking area.”

“The application seeks permission for 4no. EV charging units within the existing parking area at Lawford Place.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an existing gravel parking area in a private residential estate, opposite a Grade II listed building and within a National Landscape.

“The application site comprises an existing gravel parking area serving the residential use of Lawford Place. The parking area is located within the private residential estate and is set back from the public highway. The surrounding area is residential in character, with the listed building, neighbouring dwellings, private access roads, parking areas, bollards and other domestic features forming the immediate setting.”

“The site is not located within a conservation area. The main planning constraints relevant to the site are its relationship with the Grade II Listed Building, its location within the National Landscape, and its position within an established private residential parking area.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The wider estate previously received permission for restoration, redevelopment, residential units and associated car parking.

“The site and wider estate received planning permission under 04/02409/FUL for the restoration/ redevelopment of the building into a number of units as well as alterations to the associated car park etc.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the four-unit scheme was contained and would not cause identified harm to heritage, landscape, highways, amenity or biodiversity.

“The proposal has been amended from 6no. to 4no. EV charging units, reducing its visual spread and addressing concerns regarding the siting of equipment in front of neighbouring dwellings. Consultees have raised no objection in relation to highways, heritage or National Landscape impacts, and the development is not considered to result in harm to residential amenity, biodiversity interests, highway safety, the setting of the Grade II Listed Building or the Suffolk & Essex…”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways, heritage and National Landscape consultees raised no objection to the amended proposal.

“Having reviewed the documents and following a reduction in the number of EV chargers to 4, the National Landscape team confirm that impacts from this proposal on the natural beauty and special qualities of the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscapes will be minor. The National Landscape team therefore has no objections to this scheme.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

The parish council, councillors and four neighbours raised concerns about the listed building, appearance, amenity, noise, fire risks and maintenance.

“Lawford Parish Council is concerned about the impact on a listed building and neighbouring properties.”

“- Impact to the setting of the Listed Building. - Impact of the two outer units upon the functioning of these dwellings. - Harmful Impact to the visual amenity of the surrounding area. - Future management and maintenance. - Potential fire risks. - Questionable surface integrity. - Increase in light pollution/ disturbance.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The council’s Principal Planning Officer presented the application; the applicant spoke in favour, while a member of the public and two ward members spoke against.

Members’ question

A member asked whether moving the posts into residential gardens would still require planning permission, and the officer confirmed that it would.

“Matters raised by Members of the Committee:- Officer’s response thereto:- Based on the proposed positioning of the posts, it appears that moving them approximately six inches further back would place them within the residents’ gardens. Could you clarify whether planning permission would still be required if the posts were positioned within the residential curtilages?”

“(Michael Pingram) Planning permission is required because it is within the curtilage of the listed building and that would still be the case in that instance, so yes, planning permission would still be required.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

After debate, the committee authorised planning permission subject to the officer’s conditions and any necessary informative notes.

“(c) the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions as stated at paragraph 9.1 of the Officer report (A.2), or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects, including appropriate updates, so long as the principle of the conditions as referenced is retained; and…”

“(d) informative notes be sent to the applicant, as may be deemed necessary, by the Head of Planning and Building Control.”

Minutes