Self-build four-bedroom house at Land West Of 8 Captains Wood Road, Great Totham

What was proposed

The application proposed a self-build four-bedroom detached house, garage, driveway, landscaping and additional parking.

“The proposed dwelling would be sited to the centre of the plot, with the detached garage positioned forwards of the new dwelling in a similar manner to the neighbouring property to the east. A substantial permeable front driveway to the front of the dwelling would provide additional parking for two further cars, with access taken directly from Captains Wood Road.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the site sustainable and the design acceptable, with no significant harm to character, residential amenity, highways safety, ecology or biodiversity subject to conditions.

“As explained within the report, it is considered that the site lies in a sustainable location, with access to local community and convenience shopping facilities within Great Totham at a reasonable distance, and the availability of regular bus services nearby. This has been confirmed in the recent allowed appeal decision at the adjoining site (see appendix 1).”

“The design and layout of the proposed development are considered acceptable and would comprise a sensitive development that is in keeping with the local area both in terms of scale and architectural design. It is considered that the dwelling would not result in any harm in terms of residential amenity, highways safety, or ecology and biodiversity – subject to planning conditions.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council objected on boundary, overdevelopment and traffic grounds, while highways, environmental health, trees and ecology consultees had no objection subject to conditions.

“Internal Consultee Comment Officer Response Environmental Health No objection subject to informatives Noted - discussed at section 5.8 above Trees No objection, subject to submission of the arboricultural report and protection Noted - discussed at section 5.9 above…”

Officer report

Comments from others

No third-party comments were received after the application was advertised by site notice and newspaper advertisement.

“The application was advertised by way of a site notice posted on the 16 October 2025 (with expiry date for comments set at 7 November 2025). The notice was affixed at eye level to a telegraph pole immediately adjoining the site.”

“Notice was also given by way of newspaper advertisement posted in the Maldon and Burnham Standard, published on the 18 August 2025 (with expiry date for comments set at 9 October 2025).”

Officer report

Who spoke

The officer presented the application to the committee.

Committee discussion

Councillor R H Siddall proposed approval, and the proposal was seconded.

“Following this Councillor R H Siddall proposed that they approve this application. This was duly seconded.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee accepted the proposal when the vote was taken.

“Upon a vote being taken this proposal was accepted.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions covering construction, drainage, access, parking, travel information, trees and ecological protection.

“The materials used in the construction of the development hereby approved shall be as set out within the application form/approved plans and Design and Access Statement.”

“No development shall commence until information has been submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority in accordance with the requirements of BS5837:2012 in relation to tree retention and protection as follows: • Tree survey detailing works required • Trees to be retained • Tree retention protection plan • Tree constraints plan • Arboricultural implication assessment • Arboricultural method statement (including drainage service runs and construction of…”

Minutes