Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

A Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that detailed further representations from interested parties and the Officer provided a further verbal update that two additional letters of objection had been received  together with a  letter from a Member of Parliament (MP)  highlighting the concerns from residents. It was noted that the two additional letters did not raise any further material planning considerations from those contained in the Officer’s report. Following the Officer’s presentation, Mr. Russell Forde, speaking on behalf of a group of local residents, Parish Council representative Mr. Brady and the Applicant, Mr. Connors addressed the Committee.

At this point the Chairman moved the Officer’s recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Stephens. He then opened the discussion. 

A lengthy debate ensued where a range of issues and concerns were discussed. It was noted that there had been a lot of correspondence from residents to Members regarding this proposal. Councillor Durham, whilst acknowledging sympathy with Officers, expressed concern regarding the dangerous entrance to the site. He said it was artificial with no permission not to mention very dangerous.. He felt that the application impacted adversely on the amenity of neighbouring properties together with a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the rural area. Some Members echoed these concerns and queried issues around the clearance of the site; the biodiversity net gain or otherwise; the availability of other like sites; the status of the applicant as a traveller or otherwise and the sustainability of the site

In response to issues raised Officers provided the following information-

·        That the application site was more than 55 metres from the nearest property.

·        That Essex Highways had not raised an objection; however they had suggested conditions which have been included in the report;

·        That the access already existed, not created by the applicant. Essex Highways Authority had recognised they would use the existing access.

·        That the clearance involving trees did not require permission as it was prior to any Tree Protection Order, (TPO) being imposed.

·        That as outlined in paragraph 5.3.13 of the Officer report in this instance, the proposal, with the exception of the hardstanding, would involve single storey mobile structures, which are to be located further away from the highway, resulting in minimal impact on the character of the area.

·        That in respect of biodiversity this was addressed under conditions 14 &15 of the report . Planting of native species of trees and hedges, together with external lighting to protect species and a landscaping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 259