375 homes and childcare at Land West Of Mandeville Way, Laindon, Basildon

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 375 homes, a childcare facility, two access points, open space and associated infrastructure.

“The application seeks outline planning permission, with all matters reserved except for means of access, for the development of up to 375 residential dwellings (Use Class C3) across the site. In addition, the proposal includes the reservation of approximately 0.2 hectares of land for the provision of an Early Years and Childcare (EYCC) facility.”

“The application proposes vehicular access points from both Lower Dunton Road and Mandeville Way, which together would facilitate the delivery of a spine road running through the site. This would form the primary route for vehicular movement within the development and establish the overarching access strategy. As this is an outline application, detailed matters relating to layout, scale (beyond parameter limits), appearance and landscaping are…”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site was about 20 hectares of agricultural Green Belt land with hedgerows, woodland, a public footpath and nearby homes, storage and farmland.

“The site is currently in agricultural use and comprises five parcels of Grade 3b agricultural land, enclosed and subdivided by hedgerows and woodland of varying maturity and structure. Public Footpath 110 runs through the site in an east–west direction, following a linear belt of hedgerow and woodland which separates the northern parcel from the remainder of the site.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the site grey belt, the housing need significant, technical matters acceptable with controls, and the benefits greater than the harms.

“The key considerations in the determination of this application are the principle of development, including the delivery of housing, the acceptability of development within the Green Belt, landscaping, and other matters as set out in this report. The proposal has been assessed against the development plan, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and all other material considerations.”

“The site lies within the Green Belt; however, it is considered to meet the definition of ‘grey belt’ and satisfies the relevant requirements of national policy, including the delivery of affordable housing, infrastructure and publicly accessible open space. As such, the development is not inappropriate in Green Belt terms.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent spoke in favour of the application.

What members considered

Members considered the Green Belt status, access and traffic, landscape, paths, open space, affordable housing, infrastructure contributions and environmental effects.

“The development offered convenient access to local shops and Merrylands Primary School. An indicative landscape context showed 35% public open space and a 2 km walking route around site. Significant landscape buffers would obscure views into the site and existing Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) were to be improved and integrated with new paths. Members viewed CGIs, featuring materials reflecting Laindon neighbours and surroundings.”

“The key matters considered in the officer’s report were: the principle of developing this Green Belt site, including whether it could be considered “grey belt” and compliance with the Golden Rules; impact on the landscape character and visual assessment of the area; arboricultural and woodland impact; ecology and diversity; a Habitat Regulations assessment; design and local character; impact on neighbouring amenity, including privacy, overlooking and construction; highways;…”

Minutes

The committee vote

A proposal to defer the decision for a further highways reassessment was seconded but was not carried.

“Councillor Journet proposed deferring a decision on the application pending a reassessment by Highways. This was seconded by Councillor Blake. A vote was taken and the proposal was not carried.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted conditional planning permission, subject to a Section 106 agreement securing affordable housing, contributions, infrastructure and biodiversity management.

“That Planning Application No. 25/00541/OUT be granted conditional planning permission, the completion of a S106 agreement to secure 50% affordable housing on site, together with financial contributions towards healthcare improvements, education, Local Delivery Pilot Scheme, sustainable transport, bus service contribution, bus stop improvements, travel plan, employment and skills, maintenance and monitoring of the approved Biodiversity Gain Plan for a period of 30 years, open…”

Minutes