Draft minutes

Continuation of meeting, District Planning Committee - Wednesday 7th January 2026 7.30 pm

Proposed venue: Council Chamber, Maldon District Council Offices, Princes Road, Maldon. View directions

Note: Continuation in open session of the adjourned District Planning Committee on 16 December 2025. PLEASE NOTE no agenda will be issued for this continuation meeting as the items to be discussed are detailed on the agenda papers from 16 December 2025 meeting (see link below), starting at Agenda Item 6 - 25/00206/OUTM Land West Of Spratts Farm, Queenborough Road, Southminster Essex.

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Items

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Item

432.

Continuation of 16 December 2025 meeting in open session

Minutes:

RESOLVEDthat the meeting of the District Planning Committee on 16 December 2025 resume in open session.

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to this continuation meeting, apologised for the delayed start due to internet problems and then went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

433.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

In addition to those apologies given for the meeting on 16 December 2025, apologies for absence had been received from Councillors J C Hughes, K Jennings, R H Siddall, U G C Siddall-Norman and E L Stephens.

It was noted that Councillors V J Bell and J C Stilts were now in attendance.

434.

Disclosure of Interest

Minutes:

The Chairperson reminded Members of the requirement for them to declare any interests as soon as they became aware of them.

Councillor A S Fluker advised that in the interest of openness and transparency that he knew the owner in respect of Agenda Item 6 - 25/00206/OUTM Land West Of Spratts Farm, Queenborough Road, Southminster, Essex and confirmed he was not declaring a pecuniary interest.

435.

25/00206/OUTM Land West Of Spratts Farm, Queenborough Road, Southminster, Essex

Minutes:

Application Number	25/00206/OUTM
Location	Land West Of Spratts Farm, Queenborough Road, Southminster, Essex
Proposal	Outline planning application for the demolition of number 46 Queenborough Road and the erection of up to 110 dwellings (including affordable housing), with public open space, structural planting, landscaping, sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access point. All matters to be reserved, except for means of access.
Applicant	Gladman Developments Ltd, DJ Fisher Farms and L&A Barker
Agent	N/A
Target Decision Date	20.06.2025 (Time Extension requested until 19.12.2025)
Case Officer	Chris Purvis
Parish	SOUTHMINSTER
Reason for Referral to the Committee / Council	Major Development and a Departure from Local Plan Policies ‘Called in’ by Councillor A S Fluker due to concerns about sustainable development, strategic growth, place shaping, the delivery of prosperous rural communities, the existing settlement boundary and the prevailing countryside, the proposed design quality and built environment, Climate Change and the Environmental Impact of the development, the impact on Conservation and Heritage assets, the impact of Agricultural and Rural Diversification and how they are addressed in the proposal – Ref Policies but not limited to S1 6) 11) 12) 13, S2, S3, S7 a) b) c), S8, D1 1) c) d) e) 4) 6) 8) 9), D2 6) 10) 11), D3 1), E4 1) 3) and H4 1) 2) 3) 4) 6) 7)

The Principal Planner summarised the application, as set out in the agenda and as amended by the Members’ Update. It was noted that a further financial contribution had been requested from Essex County Council (ECC) for the diversion of public footpath No. 1. In addition, three further letters of representation had been received, making a total of 363. The Officer advised that all of the comments raised in the additional letters had been covered within the report.

Following the Officers’ presentation an objector, Mr Aggarwall and the Applicant, Mr John MacKenzie addressed the Committee.

In response to a question, the Chairperson confirmed that representatives from ECC Highways would not be attending this meeting.

During the debate that followed, a number of areas of concern in relation to this application were raised and Officers provided the following information:

· Officers had reviewed the weighting of this application in relation to other appeal decisions; however, it was noted that due to the Council’s lack of a Five-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) the weight given to the Housing Land Supply and Affordable Housing was substantial and consistent with other appeals both within and outside of the district.

· Access and Highway Safety – Members expressed concerns regarding access and highways safety, particularly as the application only proposed one access road to the site which was off a bend and from what was a narrow road (Queenborough Road) often restricted by parked cars. It was highlighted that a condition was proposed which would require a Construction Environment Management Plan. The Officer advised that it was his understanding that the main access was the only site access and therefore this would be used by ... view the full minutes text for item 435.