Agenda item

To consider the planning application and recommendations of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officer’s presentation of the report, Mr T Matthews, the Agent, of TMA Chartered Surveyors, addressed the Committee.

In response to a question, the Group Manager for Planning Services advised Members that brownfield sites would not always be re-used for housing and that all applications must be determined on their own merits.

The Parish Council had recommended approval of this application and some Members considered that houses would be more appropriate in this area than what was currently there.  However, some Members had a contrary view that it was a sporadic development that would bring in an urbanising element to the area.  Furthermore, the Council’s LDP had been approved and this was not a strategic allocation or part of a garden suburb.

A question was asked regarding the amount of people currently employed on the site and, in response, the Group Manager for Planning Services advised Members that the LDP had a section regarding using employment land and cautioned them against ignoring such a fresh policy, as to do so would set a dangerous precedent.

RESOLVED that this application be REFUSED, for the following reasons:

1        The application site lies within a rural location outside of the defined settlement boundary of Steeple where policies of restraint apply.  The Council can demonstrate a five year housing land supply to accord with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.  The site has not been identified by the Council for development to meet future needs for the District and does not fall within either a Garden Suburb or Strategic Allocation for growth identified within the Maldon District Local Development Plan to meet the objectively assessed needs for housing in the District.  The proposed development would substantially alter the open character of the area and it would result in an unjustified loss of employment land.  If developed, the site would be disconnected and isolated from the existing settlement and by reason of its location, it 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, E1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).

2          The proposed development, by virtue of its urban nature, siting, layout, plot size, scale, proportions and design would fail to protect and enhance the character and appearance of the rural area and the scattered built form and would result in an unwelcome visual intrusion into the undeveloped countryside, to the detriment of the character and appearance of the rural area.  The development is therefore unacceptable and contrary to policies S1, S2, S8, D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).

3          Inadequate provision to secure the delivery of affordable housing to meet the identified need in the locality and address the Council’s strategic objectives on affordable housing has been made, contrary to policy H1 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan (2017) and Government advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).