12 parking spaces at Land East Of 125 The Downs, Harlow
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Harlow Development Management Committee on 3 Dec 2025.
What was proposed
The application proposed twelve marked parking spaces, including one disabled bay, using permeable paving with new trees and shrubs.
“The proposal seeks permission for the provision of twelve demarcated parking spaces, one of which would be allocated as a disabled bay. It is considered acceptable in terms of character and appearance, residential amenity and parking/highways considerations. It complies with the relevant policies within the Local Plan and supplementary documents and is recommended for approval accordingly, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.”
“The application seeks planning permission for the provision of twelve demarcated car parking spaces, one of which allocated as a disabled parking bay. The grassed surface would be paved with suitable permeable material.”
Officer report
The site and its history
The site was an open grassed area in a residential area, outside a conservation area and listed-building setting, with no relevant planning history.
“The application site relates to land east of No.125 The Downs, which comprises of an open, grassed area of land within a residential area of Netteswell South. It is not located within a conservation area, nor within the setting of listed buildings.”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended approval because the scheme would help address parking stress and was considered acceptable for character, amenity, highways, trees and biodiversity.
“The proposal would provide parking spaces for residents, helping to address said issue. This is considered to weigh in favour of the scheme. Having regard to the above, it is considered that the proposed development would accord with policies PL1, PL6 and PL8 of the HLDP.”
“Furthermore, with the proposed landscaping, which includes new shrub planting whilst protecting the existing trees, the undeveloped parts of the site would take on a more natural appearance, which would be beneficial for the character of the area. The impact of the proposed development on neighbouring amenity, highway safety, trees and biodiversity would be acceptable.”
Officer report
What residents said
Two objections concerned the loss of trees and shrubs, water runoff, car-parking policy and existing parking problems.
“Number of Letters Sent: Total Number of Representations Received: Date Site Notice Expired: July 2025 Date Press Notice Expired: August 2025”
“- Trees and shrubs add character to the area, as well as reduce pollution and noise - Increase in water run-off - The willow tree should not be removed - The Council should be looking to reduce car parking (maximum 2 cars per household) - Parking issues: multiple occupation household include an excessive number of vehicles, some of which appear to be unused but still occupy valuable parking spaces.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the officer report.
“The Committee received a report and application HW/FUL/25/00278 for proposed parking for 12 no. car parking spaces at land East of 125 The Downs.”
“RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions in the Officer’s report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Harlow Development Management Committee minutes, 3 December 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Harlow's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Harlow
- Date
- Wednesday 3 December 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Harlow committee decisions →
This committee's year
13 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.