Car park, apartments and units at Carnarvon Road, Clacton-on-Sea

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing the existing multi-storey car park with parking, apartments, flexible units and publicly accessible urban improvements.

“The application is before members of the Planning Committee on the basis that the applicant and owner of the site is Tendring District Council. This application seeks the demolition of the existing multi-story car park and all other structures, to be replaced by a new multi-story car park providing 301 spaces, the erection of 28 affordable residential units and the erection of 1,330sqm of flexible commercial floorspace.”

“Demolition of the existing multi-story car park and all other structures, to be replaced by a new multi-story car park providing 301 parking spaces; • Erection of 28 residential units (14 x 1 bedroom units and 14 x 2 bedroom units) to the northern section of the site, with 11 units (40%) being affordable housing; • Creation of five flexible commercial civic/community units (1,330sqm) including Classes E, F1, F2 and Sui Generis, with one located on the ground floor of the…”

Officer report

The site and development

The site was council-owned and the proposal included 301 parking spaces, 28 apartments and 1,330 square metres of flexible floorspace.

“Development: Demolition of existing multi-story car park and clearance of site. Construction of replacement multi-story car park, 28no. residential (Class C3) apartments, and 5no. flexible units (Class E, F1, F2 and related Sui Generis uses).”

Officer report

Earlier committee decision

The committee had previously resolved to approve the application subject to an agreement covering affordable housing and biodiversity net gain.

“Since the resolution by the Planning Committee in March 2025, it has become clear that as Tendring District Council is the landowner, it has not been possible to enter into a legal agreement to secure Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).”

Officer report

The biodiversity change

Biodiversity net gain was proposed to be secured through planning conditions rather than an agreement, with a new habitat management condition.

“To address this outstanding matter, it is proposed to allow BNG to be completed solely through the use of planning conditions instead of a legal agreement. Condition 18 of the earlier report, which requires the submission of a biodiversity gain plan, is proposed to remain. However, it is now recommended to include one further condition requiring the submission of a 30 year Habitat Monitoring and Management Plan (HMMP) prior to the commencement of development.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Council’s Head of Planning and Building Control gave an oral presentation on the application.

What members discussed

A member asked whether the change affected affordable housing, and the officer said it remained exactly the same as before.

“Matters raised by Members of the Committee:- Officer’s response thereto:- Has the change made any difference to affordable housing? No, it is still the exact same as the previous application.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor White moved the resolution, Councillor Fowler seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.

“It was moved by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Fowler and unanimously:-”

Minutes

The decision

Members authorised permission subject to an agreement covering affordable housing, RAMS and biodiversity monitoring fees, with updated conditions and a possible refusal if obligations were not secured.

“Affordable Housing provision; • RAMS; and • BNG Monitoring Fee.”

“2) the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the agreed Section 106 agreement and conditions as stated at paragraph 2.2, the updates to conditions in the Officer Update Sheet, or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects, including appropriate updates, so long as the principle of the conditions as referenced is retained;”

Minutes