120 homes and sports facilities at Land to The North of Weeley Road, Great Bentley

What was proposed

The application sought up to 120 homes, a cricket pitch, pavilion and multi-use sports building, with only access decided at this stage.

“Development: Outline Planning Application (Access to be considered) - multi-use sports community building incorporating a cricket pavilion, a cricket pitch and enabling residential development of up to 120no. dwellings.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the housing shortfall, location, sports facilities and other benefits outweighed countryside, agricultural land and affordable-housing concerns.

“Although the proposal conflicts with the adopted Local Plan’s spatial strategy, being located outside the Settlement Development Boundary, the Council’s inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply renders the relevant housing policies out-of-date and engages Policy S5 of the NPPF (2026).”

“When assessed against the NPPF as a whole, the adverse impacts, principally the landscape impact of extending built form into the countryside and the lack of affordable housing provision, do not substantially outweigh the benefits, meaning the proposal is acceptable in principle under the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Therefore, the principle of development is accepted, subject to the detailed considerations set out below.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The cricket club chairman, a parish councillor and the ward member spoke in support of the application.

The vote

Councillor Bray moved the proposal, Councillor Alexander seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.

“After the debate, it was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Alexander and unanimously:-”

Minutes

The decision

The committee authorised outline permission subject to the Section 106 agreement, conditions and informative notes, including highway-signage advice.

“(c) the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant outline planning permission subject to -”

“(d) informative notes be sent to the applicant, as may be deemed necessary, by the Head of Planning and Building Control, including an informative note in relation to improving highways signage near the proposed access.”

Minutes