14 apartments at Building A, Foundry Business Park, Hockley

“REPORT SUMMARY Full planning permission is sought for the conversion of an existing building, Kilnfield House or Building A, into 14 no. apartments that would include an upwards extension and external alterations with associated amenity space and landscaping.”

“Building A is a two-storey development of buff brick elevations under a pitched concrete tiled roof with a projecting front entrance. Foundry Business Park includes the main Foundry building, ‘Building C’ which is subject to a proposal for development under application ref: 24/00015/FUL for ‘Redevelopment of site comprising demolition of existing buildings and erection of building consisting of commercial floorspace (Class E) and 50 no. apartments (Class C3).”

“The site is located on Station Approach adjacent to Hockley train station. Surrounding development comprises a range of commercial, industrial and leisure uses including Hockley Trading Centre to the south and west whilst the Greater Anglia railway line forms the northern boundary. The wider surrounding area is principally residential streets to the north and east of semi-detached and terraced housing. The site is not within a Conservation area.”

“The application relates to ‘Building A’, also known as Kilnfield House that is located to the north east of the wider Foundry Business Park which was originally approved as a two-storey office building in 2003 under application 03/00470/FUL. Furthermore, application 23/01035/DPDP3J determined that a change of use from Commercial, Business and Service (Use Class E) to 7no.”

“Hockley Parish Council strongly object to this planning application. Members and residents have concerns regarding possible contaminated soil from review of the planning application and supporting documents a copy of a soil sampling report is not available.”

“Overdevelopment and design • Insufficient infrastructure • Drainage and sewerage under increased pressure • Impact on local traffic and parking • Access to Foundry Business Park may be affected for other businesses • Loss of local businesses and services • Tenure of proposed dwellings • Impact on residential amenity • Concern that development will increase antisocial behaviour in the area/increase fear of crime • Impact on light…”

“Cllr L Shaw requested that any trees be established and not saplings.”

“Cllr Eves has some concerns regarding the tinting of the brickwork and the upkeep and maintenance of this. He requested an additional planning condition of a different finish and tinting of the brickwork.”

“Cllr Eves moved a motion seconded by Cllr L Shaw, that planning permission be approved subject to the applicants entering into a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Act to provide the following heads of terms:”

“Notwithstanding the details shown on approved plans and Dwg no MA01 Rev 1 – Materials Schedule dated 12.12.24, the external finish to the exterior walls of the building shall not include tinted brickwork but shall be a material as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to first occupation. Details of the proposed external facing material shall have been submitted to the LPA prior to first occupation of the building hereby approved.”