Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

An Addendum to the report was circulated prior to the meeting and contained the following information received and clarifications following publication of the Officers’ report:

·                a further consultation response from Essex County Council (ECC) Highways advising that the scheme was acceptable from a highway and transportation perspective subject to a number of conditions;

·                an updated consultation response from Anglian Water confirming that the scheme was acceptable subject to conditions;

·                two further letters of objection had been received;

·                clarification to paragraph 5.9.2 and section 5.17;

·                amendment to the Section 106 Heads of Terms (paragraph 8.1) to include the ECC Highways consultation response and provide further clarification;

·                amendment to condition 11;

·                information relating to correspondence received from Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council in relation to the employment allocation and subsequent discussions with the applicant;

·                amendment to recommendation (i), taking into account the resolved Highways consultation response and providing further clarification of the associated obligations relating to ECC Highways and Network Rail.

Following the Officers’ presentation, an objector, Ms Chant, and the applicant, Mr Houghton, addressed the Committee.

In response to comments made regarding highway safety, Members were informed that a detailed Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) had been submitted and would provide a considerable amount of protection in terms of residential amenity and highway safety. In addition, ECC Highways had examined the traffic movements and proposed junction, and was satisfied that the movements, in combination with the proposed mitigation, would be acceptable.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the revised recommendations as set out in the Addendum be agreed, subject to highway works at Kitts Hill / B1012 being completed prior to the first occupation of any properties. He explained that leaving the junction works until after the houses were occupied would make the existing situation worse. This proposal was duly seconded.

A lengthy debate ensued, and in response to comments raised by Members, Officers provided additional information and clarification, which included:

·                Should the proposed diversion of the railway crossing not be possible, Officers would propose that a contribution be sought. The benefit to pedestrian safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 217