Agenda and draft minutes

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

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1(4)a, the Chairperson advised that he would be varying the order of business and bringing forward Agenda Item 6, application 26/00066/OUTM - 26/00267/OUTM - Land Adjacent Pump House, Catchpole Lane, Great Totham, Essex to be considered following Agenda Item 4, Declaration of Interests.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, D O Bown, S J Burwood, S Dodsley, M F L Durham, K Jennings, K M H Lagan, W J Laybourn, S J N Morgan, R H Siddall, U G C Siddall-Norman. E L Stephens and S White.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 22 September 2026 (copy to follow).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 22 September 2026 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 Place, Planning and Growth, (copy enclosed, Addendum to be circulated)*.

The Addendum, circulated prior to the meeting, highlighted some typographical and other updates to the Officers’ report, including the receipt of nine further letters of representation.

Following the Officer presentation, the Applicant, Mr Hill, addressed the Committee.

During the lengthy debate that ensued, Members raised a number of questions regarding the application, and the following information was provided by Officers:

·                Concerns were raised regarding nearby junctions, particularly in relation to road safety. Members were advised that the Highway Authority had reviewed the applicant’s Transport Assessment (TA) and the highway information TA and plans had also been subject to a Road Safety Audit. The Highway Authority was satisfied that the proposed access would not result in an unsafe highway environment, subject to conditions. One of its suggested conditions recommended that a Traffic Regulation Order for Kelvedon Road be secured to reduce the speed limit to 30 miles per hour, thereby further improving safety and this is contained within the recommended list of planning conditions. The Officer explained that the Highway Authority did not identify that the application had a severe impact on the highway network, the Highways Authority was not objecting to the application, subject to conditions and a Section 106 requirement.

·                The Officer explained that whilst it would be desirable to have a through route to Catchpole Lane the application, as submitted, was for a cul-de-sac development, and the Committee had to determine the application based on this information.

·                In response to a question regarding a footpath connecting with adjacent sites, Members were advised that the plans submitted identified an area where a connection through to the adjoining site could be provided. However, this would be dependent on discussions with the applicant of the adjacent site which was subject to an existing extant planning permission.

·                A Local Equipped Area of Play would be provided, along with areas which would have pop-up play features. The proposed orchard would have biodiversity and ecology benefits. However, the Reserved Matters application would provide more detail in respect of these areas as well as landscaping. The provision of play equipment that would be inclusive for all children was also raised.

·                In respect of there being no emergency access on the plan, Officers advised that this would have been considered by the Highways Authority, which had not raised any objection. It was a statutory requirement in the UK for road access and layout to be built to accommodate emergency vehicles. As part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

Members were reminded that this application had been considered by the Committee on 22 September 2026 and that the previous Committee report and related Addendum were attached at Appendices 1 and 2 to the report. At that meeting the application had been deferred to seek independent advice on matters relating to the flood risk sequential test, and further explanation of this was set out in the report. The report set out written advice received from Matthew Fraser of Landmark Chambers and Members’ attention was drawn to the Officers’ recommendation.

The Chairperson advised that some Members had not been present when this application was first discussed by the Committee and therefore in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules only those who had been present could vote. A list of those Members eligible to vote was read out for clarification. The Chairperson clarified that those Members who had not been present were able to ask questions but could not vote on the application.

At this point, Councillors J C Hughes, N D Spenceley, N J Swindle, and L L Wiffen left the meeting and did not return.

The Addendum circulated prior to the meeting provided the following information:

·                Further representations had been received and the Addendum summarised submissions not already addressed in the original Committee report.

·                Concerns had been raised regarding insufficient capacity at Latchingdon Water Recycling Centre (WRC). The Addendum explained that, despite existing foul drainage capacity constraints and Anglian Water’s objection, legal advice and comments from the Environment Agency supported the use of an appropriately worded condition to secure a deliverable drainage solution; Officers therefore maintained their recommendation for approval.

·                Following discussions with Anglian Water and the Environment Agency, Officers proposed revised wording for condition 15 to strengthen the foul drainage requirements.

During the presentation of the application, the Principal Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the Addendum and provided a detailed explanation of Counsel’s advice that the Council had received, specifically highlighting information relating to the concerns raised regarding foul drainage.

Following the Officer presentation, an objector, Ms Derham, and Councillor Phil Simcock, speaking on behalf of Latchingdon Parish Council, addressed the Committee.

In response to a comment, the Head of Development Management and Enforcement advised that the Committee should determine the application based on the proposal, the Officer assessment and the recommended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.