180-home development at Land North Of Kennel Lane, Great Burstead, Billericay

What was proposed

The application sought changes to approved plans and conditions for a development of up to 200 homes, including revised layouts, housing types and supporting infrastructure.

“The proposal entails the variation of condition numbers 1 (Approved Plans), 2 (Swift Bird boxes/bricks), 4 (Hard Landscaping), 5 (Soft Landscaping), 6 (External Lighting), 7 (Refuse and Recycling), 8 (Noise Control), 12 (Exterior Materials) and 15 (Car and Cycle Parking and Electric Vehicle Charging) of Planning Permission 24/00299/REM to align with amended layouts and reports, for the erection of up to 200 dwellings with associated cycle and pedestrian access,…”

“The principal changes over the previously consented reserved matters scheme are: • A one dwelling increase from 179 to 180 dwellings. (For clarity plot numbers 23, 24 and 25 have been omitted and plots numbered 180, 181, 182 and 183 added. Plots within the broader development have been renumbered as necessary.) • Revisions to some dwelling types along the northern and south-eastern edges of the development.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The approximately eight-hectare site was former agricultural grassland, with housing to the north and northeast, open fields nearby and construction underway.

“The application site extends to approximately 8 hectares and is located within a single parcel of former agricultural grassland on the north side of Kennel Lane and east side of A176 Billericay. The approved residential development is currently under construction on the site with several dwellings already constructed and highway works to the roundabout junction with Kennel Lane and A176 Laindon Road to provide vehicular access into the site having been undertaken.”

“Immediately to the north/northeast of the site are two storey houses. To the south and west of the site are open fields. Immediately to the south of the site, on the northern side of Kennel Lane, is a single dwelling called Langhams. The Billericay School and its playing fields are to the west of the site beyond the A176 road. There are open fields to the south beyond Kennel Lane that also comprises some sporadic dwellings. Site location plan and aerial photograph below:”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the amended scheme remained within the approved parameters, provided affordable housing and would not harm amenity or highway safety.

“The principle of the development of the site for up to 200 dwellings is established. The proposed amended development would continue to be in conformity with the parameter plans approved as part of the outline planning permission.”

“That Planning Application No. 25/001467/VAR be granted planning permission, subject to the conditions set out below, with any amendments that might be necessary up to the issue of the decision notice, and the completion of a Deed of Variation to the existing S106 Legal Agreement to secure the amended affordable housing obligations as set out at Section 5.9 of this report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, describing the affordable housing, revised mix, design improvements, increased garden depths and absence of statutory consultee objections.

What members discussed

Members welcomed the greater distance from neighbours and largely unchanged affordable housing, while the Chairman praised bird boxes, electric vehicle charging and noise control.

“Members noted that the scheme was already approved and were pleased to see the greater distance from neighbours and that the overall amount of affordable housing largely remained unchanged. The Chairman commended the provision of bird boxes, EV charging and noise control.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to the report’s conditions, possible amendments and completion of a deed varying the affordable housing obligations.

“That Planning Application No. 25/01467/VAR be granted planning permission, subject to the conditions set out at section 6.5 of the report, with…”

Minutes