Two holiday lodges at Firs Lake Land off Heath Road, Tendring, Clacton-on-Sea

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the lodges would give tourism a small boost, with no significant harm to character, neighbours, ecology or highways after revisions and conditions.

“The application proposes the erection of two holiday lodges, which are considered to result in a small boost to the tourism offering within the District. Given this, and that the site is not located within an isolated and unsustainable location, the principle of development is supported. Whilst the initial design of the lodges was not supported due to their urban appearance, the amended design is now considered acceptable.”

“In addition, there is unlikely to be significant harm to neighbouring amenities or existing trees, and ECC Ecology raise no objections in relation to the impacts to protected species. ECC Highways initially raised an objection, however concerns relating to sufficient visibility splays have since been addressed.”

Officer report

Written representations

No letters of representation were received apart from comments from Councillor Harris and Tendring Parish Council.

“Tendring Parish Council have objected to the proposal on the following grounds:”

“There have been no other letters of representation received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A council senior planning officer presented the application, and the agent spoke in support.

What members debated

Members discussed backland status, septic-tank drainage near the lake, the substation, highway visibility, representations and wildlife-sensitive lighting.

“Matters raised by Members of the Committee:- Officer’s response thereto:- Could Members have comments on the status as backland? In terms of the backland residential development policy, where there are various requirements, this application would be looking at the access point which has had the same discussion on a previous application, it would be in the investigator’s view to see the access as a proposal whereas this is an existing access.”

“Officers understand that it is a fishing lake that is a separate entity so Officers do not believe that there would be any problems but because that information is not available, it is hard to guarantee it would not happen. If Members were to recommend approval, Officers could put a condition in place to allow Officers to receive that information at a later stage.”

Minutes

The votes

A motion to defer the application to clarify sewage arrangements and obtain the lighting scheme was lost on the Chairman’s casting vote.

“- for the wildlife sensitive lighting design scheme to be submitted.”

“On being put to the vote, the motion was declared LOST on the Chairman’s casting vote.”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee authorised permission subject to the officer conditions, biodiversity monitoring, and approved foul-sewerage and lighting arrangements, with necessary wording changes.

“1) the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions as stated at paragraph 10.1 of the Officer report (A.2), the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Monitoring Conditions, notwithstanding details of no lighting unless approved (swap of light strategy condition) and foul sewerage conditions to be approved, or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects,…”

“2) the sending to the applicant of the informative notes as may be deemed necessary.”

Minutes