Estate footpaths and crossings at Various Roads Including Greenway, Hutton, Brentwood

“Planning permission is sought for footpaths across roads incl. Mount Avenue, Herington Grove, Greenway, Roundwood Avenue, Willow Close, Hillwood Close, Hillwood Grove, Spurgate, Heronway, Luppitt Close, and Bowhay to include roundels to be installed around estate, proposed rumble strips, dropped kerbs and cropped setts, including some existing footpaths to be widened and proposed road layout changes to Roundwood Avenue & Brockley Grove.”

“The application has been referred to planning committee by Cllr Quirk for the reasons that the application has not been consulted with many households on Hutton Mount, the correct Ward Cllrs were not included on the original neighbour letters, and the level of objection received.”

“The Hutton Mount Estate located within Shenfield is mainly occupied by large, detached properties set within spacious plots. The character of the area provides a low density verdant aesthetic which is enhanced by its well landscaped boundaries with established trees and hedges and limits to on-street parking.”

“23/01184/FUL: Construction of Footpaths along 3 roads (Heronway, Spurgate and Roundwood Avenue). – Application Permitted • 23/00488/S192: Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed use or development for the construction of Footpaths a long 3 roads (Heronway, Spurgate and Roundwood Avenue). – Not Lawful…”

“It is acknowledged that the development would result in some harm to the character and appearance of the area through the introduction of more urban features and the partial loss of grass verges. This harm has been given due weight in the assessment.”

“Weight is afforded to the clear public benefits of the proposal, particularly in terms of improving pedestrian safety, reducing conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, and enhancing walkability and connectivity within the estate. The existing situation, whereby pedestrians are frequently required to walk within the carriageway, represents an unsatisfactory and potentially unsafe environment. The proposal provides a proportionate and justified response to this issue.”

“Highway Authority: The information that was submitted in association with the application has been fully considered by the Highway Authority.”

“From a highway and transportation perspective the impact of the proposal is acceptable to the Highway Authority subject to the following condition:”

“Moving the signage and gate to a new position would imply additional houses are part of the Hutton Mount Estate. • The20mph roundels will not deter speeding motorists; it needs a physical deterrent like speed humps. • There are existing paths, albeit relatively narrow, and there does not appear to be a pressing need for adding significant extra width to the path. The paths are used at certain times of the day and one way traffic.”

“The proposed path and loss of greenery will further urbanise the location. • The existing grass also serves to absorb some water from the road. Replacing this with tarmac will likely result in more water flowing onto the lawn behind the hedge. • The path will also likely encourage its use for parking of contractors' vehicles during the proposed re-building of the property on the other side of the road, no doubt damaging the new surface.”

“A motion was MOVED UNANIMOUSLY by Cllr Mynott to APPROVE the application. This was SECONDED by Cllr McCheyne.”

“FOR: Cllrs Mynott, M Cuthbert, Bakhsh, Baldock, [name withheld], Gorton, McCheyne, Parker, Patel, Rigby, Thomson (11) AGAINST: (0) ABSTAIN: (0)”

“The motion was moved to approve subject to revised drawings being sought prior to determination of the application to address [name withheld] objections.”

“The application was APPROVED subject to revised plans being submitted before the determination of the application.”