Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone present and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M F L Durham and R H Siddall.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 November 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5 November 2022 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 Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officer’s presentation the Chairman opened the discussion. Councillor S White, having called in the application said that she knew the site really well and agreed with the Officer’s recommendation. On that basis she proposed that listed building consent be granted in accordance with the Officer’s report and this was duly seconded. There being no further discussion the Chairman put the Officer’s recommendation to the Committee and it was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that listed building consent be GRANTED subject to the following condition:

1          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents:

237235-05-PUR-00-SL-DR-A-1000 Rev P02 Site and location plan

237235-05-PUR-00-SL-DR-A-2000 Rev P03 Block plan

237235-05-PUR-00-GF-DR-A-1001 Rev P02 Existing ground floor plan

237235-05-PUR-01-XX-DR-A-1002 Rev P02 Existing first floor

237235-05-PUR-00-XX-DR-A-1100 Rev P02 Existing elevations

237235-05-PUR-00-GF-DR-A-2001 Rev P03 Proposed ground floor plan

237235-05-PUR-00-01-DR-A-2002 Rev P02 Proposed first floor plan

237235-05-PUR-00-XX-DR-A-2100 Rev P01 Proposed elevations

Design and Access Statement

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

Following the Officer’s presentation the Chairman opened the discussion.

Councillor White, having called in the application, sought clarity as to whether the entire site was already residential and if what the applicant was proposing for the site was known. The Lead Specialist: Place advised that as per the officer report the application was outline in nature proposing the demolition of an existing bungalow with no information on what was being proposed.

A discussion ensued around the access and representations received from both the Parish Council and statutory consultee Essex Highways regarding the adverse impact of the access on highway safety. It was noted that Essex Highways would not have objected to the proposal if there was a way to mitigate the potential harm. The consensus was that the proposal as it stood could not be approved. Councillor Morgan proposed that the application be refused in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and this was duly seconded.  The Chairman then put the recommendation of refusal to the Committee and it was agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1                 The proposed development would be remote and disconnected from local services and facilities by reason of its location and would provide poor quality and limited access to sustainable and public transportation, resulting in an increased need of private vehicle ownership. The development would therefore be unacceptable and contrary to policies S1, S2, S8, D1, H4 and T2 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

2                 The proposed development would result in a cramped and contrived form of development which would not reflect the spacious pattern of development within the area which would have a harmful impact on the visual amenity to the detriment of the character of the site and surrounding area, contrary to Policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

3                 The proposed development would result in undue harm to the residential amenity of the future occupiers by reason of direct overlooking from No. 5 Hawkins Close resulting in a loss of privacy to the detriment of the living environment of the future occupiers. The proposal would therefore be contrary to policies D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

4                 The proposal would lead to the intensification of the access along Hackmans Lane. The lack of suitable visibility from the access for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 421.