65-home residential development at Happy Grow Garden Centre and Elmcroft, Thornwood, Thornwood Common

What was proposed

The outline proposal covered demolition of existing buildings and up to 65 homes, including affordable housing, access changes, parking, open space and drainage ponds.

“Outline Application with all matters reserved (except Access) for the demolition of existing buildings followed by a new residential development of up to 65 no. new homes (including 40% as onsite affordable), onsite open space, sustainable urban drainage, improvements and alteration to the existing access road, car parking, refuse and cycle storage. The development will cover the whole of the site.”

Officer report

The site

The site covered about 3.08 hectares and included a former garden centre, guest house, buildings, grassland, hedgerows and treelines.

“The Application Site covers approximately 3.08 hectares and comprises a former garden centre that includes several buildings alongside the Elmcroft Guest House (Hotel) and areas of open grassland.”

“The buildings are mostly surrounded by hardstanding surfaces, while open grassland areas are primarily located to the east, south, and west of the site. Hedgerows and treelines define the boundaries of the Site.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Residents and the Heritage Trust objected over overdevelopment, traffic, infrastructure, protected habitats, parking, pollution, biodiversity and cumulative effects.

“Brookfield, 24 Upland Road, Elmhurst 37 Upland Road, Hillside High Road 1 email (Thornwood Resident) OBJECT:- • Overdevelopment • Lack of sufficient healthcare, schools, public amenities, community and retail spaces to accommodate the development. Development will additionally burden on already constrained services. • Increased Traffic and Safety Risks Loss of green space and a rise in pollution levels due to the increase in vehicle use.”

“: Epping Forest Heritage Trust: Object: The impacts on Epping Forest SAC and Lower Forest SSSI from increased recreational use, visitor footfall, and traffic have not been properly assessed, contrary to the Habitats Regulations 2017 and Local Plan Policy DM2.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the Planning Officer, the Parish Council, the applicant’s agent and a ward councillor.

The vote

The committee voted to approve the application with conditions, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.

“The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions (subject to s106 Legal Agreement), which included strengthening the wheel washing condition to include pavement cleaning.”

Minutes