182 new homes at Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims' Hatch

What was proposed

The application proposed 182 homes, including affordable and custom-build homes, public open space, landscaping, new access and supporting infrastructure.

“CONSTRUCTION OF 182 NEW HOMES, ACCESS FROM DODDINGHURST ROAD, ASSOCIATED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, LANDSCAPING AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE”

“Access into the site for vehicles is off Doddinghurst Road via a tree-lined street and pedestrian and cycle access is provided off Doddinghurst Road and onto the public right of way to the west of the site. The proposed roads have been located to retain as many of the existing trees as possible and supplementing these with new trees within the open space and streets. A signalised crossing is proposed on Doddinghurst Road to the north of the improved site access.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site covers two parcels beside the A12 and Doddinghurst Road, with existing vegetation, watercourses, horse grazing, woodland and nearby homes.

“The application site comprises two parcels that sit to the north and south of the A12, west of Doddinghurst Road, identified in the Brentwood Local Plan as strategic housing site under Policy R16. The two parcels have existing trees and shrubs, with the northern parcel having two drainage channels/watercourses which divide the site into 3 areas. Most trees and existing vegetation are located along the drainage channels and the periphery of the site.”

“The northern parcel of the R16 site adjoins dwellings along its northern boundary. These dwellings have frontage to Bishop’s Hall Road, Highgrove, Philip Close and Elizabeth Road. These dwellings generally have rear gardens adjoining the site of varying depths. The western side of the site adjoins a public right of way running in a north-south direction. To the west of this right of way are dwellings, which generally have side elevations facing the site.”

Officer report

Planning history

The site was allocated for around 200 homes in the Brentwood Local Plan, while the southern parcel would remain open space rather than housing.

“The site was allocated in the Brentwood Local Plan 2016 – 2033 as an allocated housing site for around 200 new homes.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme would deliver housing and affordable homes, improve connections and address most impacts through conditions and obligations.

“The compliance with 35% affordable housing in this sustainable location with family housing is welcomed and this along with the market housing will assist in meeting the local need and infrastructure payments are required to address the impacts of the development on additional impacts the development creates.”

“Overall, the proposal is a well-designed scheme and provides good quality houses without creating significant impacts on neighbours. For this reason, the application is recommended for approval subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents submitted 97 objections and three other representations, raising concerns about traffic, pollution, wildlife, infrastructure, flooding, amenity and alternative sites.

“Traffic - Doddinghurst Road and Ongar Road already busy due to 6 schools in immediate area and 2 others close by and other facilities in the area additional houses will increase congestion - Addition of 300+ vehicle trips per day to existing traffic problems make it worse - Several times a day surrounding roads are gridlocked - Bus service 37, 61 & 61C are unreliable and expensive and 61 &61C don’t run on Sundays - Bike lanes and public transport not a suitable alternative…”

“Air quality/pollution - A12 creates pollution and loss of greenspace will make this worse - A12 is like a motorway and houses should not be built so close to it due to health impacts on future residents and existing residents of Pilgrims Hatch - 2009 application refused in 2009 due to air quality - One apartment block has windows that don’t open but developer says there is nothing wrong with building there - The A12 is much busier than the South Circular Road in Lewisham…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard an objector, a representative of R16 Residents, the agent supporting the application and opposing ward councillors.

What members debated

Members discussed the shortfall against parking standards, while officers said the scheme’s benefits outweighed its minor policy deviations.

“Members raised issues concerning the unmet parking standards.”

“Officers advised that whilst there were minor deviations from planning policy, there were benefits to the scheme that overall they considered tipped the planning balance in favour of them supporting the proposal.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted 11 in favour, none against and one abstention on a motion to approve the application.

“Following a full discussion Cllr M Cuthbert MOVED and Cllr Dr Barrett SECONDED a motion to APPROVE the application.”

“A vote was taken and Members voted as follows:”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to completing a Section 106 agreement and meeting planning conditions.

“The application was APPROVED subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement and Conditions.”

Minutes