Community centre and nursery at Moors Fields, Little Dunmow

The site

The site forms part of a wider residential development under construction, with access through the approved Station Road access.

“The wider site is located on the south-eastern side of Station Road approximately 100m north of the village of Flitch Green. There is an existing area of woodland known as Moors and an un-framed area of grassland to the southwest of the site. Further vegetation in the form of mature hedgerows and trees are scattered along the boundaries of the wider site. The Flitch Way lies to the south of the site.”

“Access to the site is via the approved access associated with the wider site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered up to 160 homes, a countryside park, office hub space and associated infrastructure, followed by reserved matters approval.

“UTT/21/3596/OP - Outline planning application (with all matters reserved except for means of access from Station Road) for residential development of up to 160 dwellings (REDUCED FROM 180 dwellings) , a countryside park, up to 100sqm of office hub floorspace, sustainable urban drainage system and associated infrastructure (AMENDED PLANS ·& ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING reduction in units, increased open space ·& additional highway measures) - APPROVED”

“UTT/23/1848/PINS - S62A/2023/0021 - Application for the approval of reserved matters for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for 160 dwellings and a countryside park pursuant to conditions 1 and 2 of outline planning permission UTT/21/3596/OP - APPROVED”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval subject to a deed varying the existing planning obligation and conditions, because the benefits outweighed the identified harm.

“That the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to GRANT permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 17 of this report -”

“A) Completion of a Deed of Variation to the s106 Obligation Agreement agreed under application UTT/21/3596/OP, in accordance with the amendments as set out;”

Officer report

Main planning considerations

The assessment identified benefits including community facilities, nursery and office space, open space, pedestrian links and economic activity, against loss of some approved open space.

“The provision of public open space, new community orchard and growing area as well as garden space associated with the different uses.”

“Loss of larger open space provision within the previously approved scheme.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highway and flood authorities raised no objections subject to conditions, while environmental health, ecology, the airport and other consultees also supported conditions or raised no objection.

“From a highway and transportation perspective, the impact of the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions.”

“Having reviewed the Flood Risk Assessment and the associated documents which accompanied the planning application, we do not object to the granting of planning permission, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Public views

Representations supported the community benefits, local need, location and nursery provision, while other responses raised concerns about demand and cost to the parish council.

“Improve quality of life for residents Good community benefit Meets a local need Great location Great improvement to local facilities Great nursery provision…”

“Concerns over demand Concerns around cost to Parish Council…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative and the applicant spoke in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed parish council involvement, Community Trust ownership, landscaping, cycling routes, community access alongside nursery use and future maintenance costs.

“In response to questions from Members, officers: • Said that agility was required in respect of it being a Class E building, particularly relating to proposed nursery use. • Said they were satisfied that community use would not be precluded and that this could work alongside nursery use. • Said that the freehold of the building would be owned by a Community Trust and outlined the benefits of such an arrangement.”

“Members discussed: • The positive benefits given to the process through Parish Council involvement. • Community Trust ownership and management considerations; this was recognised as not a planning consideration. • Soft landscape considerations: these had already been covered in the original application. • Cycling routes not being identified. • Concerns that nursery operations might preclude community use. • Possible future high maintenance costs.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Approval was proposed and seconded, and the committee authorised permission subject to the conditions in the report.

“Councillor Church said that he was very happy to propose approval of the application. This was seconded by Councillor Sutton.”

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development subject to the conditions set out in section 17 of the report.”

Minutes