Essex members block major housing schemes against the advice of officers

Members of an Essex local planning authority have refused permission for three major housing developments against the advice of officers and despite being unable to demonstrate a supply of enough housing land to meet local needs.

Tendring District Council in north east Essex met last week to consider applications for a total of 1,156 homes. Planning officers had recommended approval for all but one application of 60 homes, having noted in their reports to the committee that the district council could not demonstrate the necessary five-year supply of housing land as required by the National Planning Policy Framework.

However, the planning committee decided to reject the officer’s recommendations in relation to three of the applications under consideration. They resolved to refuse outline permission for a 240-home development on agricultural land in the local green gap to the west of Clacton-on-Sea, full permission for 237 homes at the site of a caravan park to the north west of Walton-on-the-Naze, and outline permission for 150 homes and an employment site on farmland at the edge of the village of Great Bentley.

Councillors were concerned that health and education facilities would not be able to support the proposed development near Clacton-on-Sea, despite the applicant’s offer of a financial contribution towards health services.

Members were also concerned that the site proposed homes in the flight path of Clacton Airstrip and that the scheme would reduce the green gap between Clacton-on-Sea and neighbouring Jaywick.

The committee considered the caravan site proposal near Walton-on-the-Naze to be over-development and poorly designed. It unanimously refused the outline proposal for Great Bentley, considering that it would change the nature of the village after raising concerns about the adequacy of local infrastructure.

View the application summary for Land North of Rush Green Road, Clacton On Sea

View the application summary for Land at Station Field Plough Road, Great Bentley

View the application summary for Martello Caravan Park Kirby Road, Walton On The Naze

 

Roger Milne