Accessible inclusive play area at East Beach Open Space East Beach, Shoeburyness

The site

The council-owned site is a grassed area at East Beach Open Space, opposite the car park and beside a café, within protected green space.

“This Council owned application site comprises a grassed area of land on East Beach Open Space opposite East Beach car park (to the south-east) and next to the newly erected café development to its immediate west. The application site is approximately 1,875sqm (0.1875 ha). Centrally placed within the site is a standalone piece of play equipment.”

“East Beach is designated as Protected Green Space in the Development Management Document’s Proposals Map. The southern half of the site is within Flood Zone 3 (high probability).”

Officer report

The officer recommendation

Officers recommended permission because the proposal would provide a high-quality, accessible play facility and enhance recreation, planting and biodiversity.

“Having taken all material planning considerations into account, it is found that subject to compliance with the recommended conditions, the proposed development, would be acceptable and compliant with the objectives of the relevant development plan policies and guidance. This development would deliver a high-quality, accessible and inclusive play area significantly improving and diversifying upon the current play installation within this sustainable location.”

“Officers find the proposal to be acceptable in all relevant regards and recommend approval subject to conditions. Should Members identify any areas of harm and should they reach a different conclusion from officers on those individual considerations then this needs to be balanced against the public benefits of the proposal including those identified within the body of the report.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered flood risk, design, residential amenity, transport, nature designations, biodiversity gain and the need for play space.

“The main considerations in relation to this application are the principle of the development including flood risk, the design and impact on the character of the streetscene and wider area, the impact on residential amenity, any traffic and transportation issues, impact on nature designations, Biodiversity Net Gain and whether the development would be liable for CIL.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Flood, environmental health, highways, nature conservation and environment consultees raised no objections, while the parks department supported the proposal.

“Environmental Health 5.3. No objections or comments.”

“Parks 5.7. The Parks Department support the proposals for the Shoeburyness East Beach Inclusive Playground.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke as an objector to the application.

The committee decision

The committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

“RESOLVED: - That PLANNING PERMISSION BE GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes

Conditions and advice

Permission included conditions on timing, approved plans, fencing, planting and landscape management, with advice on biodiversity, flooding, highways, crime and surfacing runoff.

“A Landscape Management Plan, including long term management responsibilities and maintenance schedules for all landscape areas, shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority prior to the first use of the development hereby approved. The landscaping of the site shall thereafter be managed and maintained in accordance with the approved Landscape Management Plan in perpetuity.”

“If planning permission is granted on an application made under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (application to develop land without compliance with conditions previously attached) and a Biodiversity Gain Plan was approved in relation to the previous planning permission (“the earlier Biodiversity Gain Plan”) there are circumstances when the earlier Biodiversity Gain Plan is regarded as approved for the purpose of discharging the biodiversity gain…”

Minutes