Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M F L Durham CC, S J N Morgan, R H Siddal, S White and L L Wiffen

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 June 2025 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 June 2025 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

There were none.

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

The Officer presented the report then some discussion ensued. Following this Councillor E L Stephens proposed Members agree the Officer’s recommendation and refuse this application. This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken approved.

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1          The application fails to demonstrate that the proposal would fall within the annexe criterion as detailed within the Specialist Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document. The proposal would not amount to residential annexe accommodation ancillary to the main dwelling house due to its siting and as the proposed accommodation would facilitate a full suite of activities for day to day living and the level of facilities would allow for a totally independent form of development from the main dwelling.

2          The application site lies within a rural location outside of the defined settlement boundary of Cold Norton, where policy restraints apply. The proposed development, with its associated garden land, parking area and domestic paraphernalia, is highly visible at the street scene and within the open countryside. The change would result in the over intensification of a domestic urban nature and would result in an incoherent approach to the intended design for the site. This would adversely impact on the intrinsic character and beauty of the open countryside and would cause harm to the character and appearance of the site’s rural setting. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, H4 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the policies and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

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

Following the Officer’s presentation the Agent, Alice Quinn, and an Objector, John Kyan, addressed the Committee.

Members queried if the proposed new cycling route was enough of a reason to allow this development. The Officer responded that this had been taken into consideration and did make the application site a more sustainable location.

Councillor J C Hughes proposed that Members approve the application in line with the Officers recommendation. This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken the proposal was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions set out below and the submitted Unilateral Undertaking.

Heads Of Terms Of Any Section 106 Agreement

A financial contribution of £169.45 for mitigating the impact upon the Zone of Influence (ZoI) of the Essex Coast RAMS as new residential development is likely to have a significant effect on the sensitive interest features of these coastal European designated sites, through increased recreational pressure when considered ‘in combination’ with other plans and projects. A Unilateral Undertaking has been submitted and is acceptable, therefore suitable mitigation has been secured.

Conditions

1          The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

2          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved plans as identified above.

3          No development above slab level shall commence until written details or samples of all materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development and the site boundaries hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out using the materials and details as approved.

4          No development above slab level shall take place until full details of both hard and soft landscape works to be carried out have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include the layout of the hard landscaped areas with the materials and finishes to be used and details of the soft landscape works including schedules of shrubs and trees to be planted, noting the species, stock size, proposed numbers/densities and details of the planting scheme’s implementation, aftercare and maintenance programme. The hard landscape works shall be carried out as approved prior to first occupation of the development hereby approved unless otherwise first agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The soft landscape works shall be carried out as approved within the first available planting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 237.