Issue - meetings

Erection of one dwelling (in lieu of Prior Approval for one dwelling, subject of application 22/01288/COUNOT).

Earlier on in the meeting, Councillor Wigginshad declared for the public record in relation to this application that she wasa Ward Member. She had advised that she was not pre-determined, and that therefore she would participate in the Committee’s deliberations and decision making for this application.

It was reported that this application had been referred to Planning Committee as the proposed development would conflict with the requirements of the Development Plan, principally Policy SPL2 (Settlement Development Boundaries) of the Tendring District Local Plan 2013-2033 and Beyond Section 2 (adopted January 2022), as it was located outside of any defined settlement development boundary and it also had an Officer recommendation of approval.

Members were informed that the proposed dwelling was not considered by Officers to be materially different in regards to siting, or footprint, to the development approved under prior approval 21/01288/COUNOT and that it was similar in scale and appearance to dwellings and other built form within the wider area. The overall height of the proposal exceeded that of the existing building, however this was not considered by Officers to result in significant harm.

The Committee was made aware that the Council’s Tree and Landscape Officer had raised no concerns, whilst sufficient parking and private amenity space was provided, and that there would not be significant harm to existing neighbouring amenities. Essex Highways Authority had also raised no objections.

The Committee had before it the published Officer report containing the key planning issues, relevant planning policies, planning history, any response from consultees, written representations received and a recommendation of approval.

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Planning Officer (MP) in respect of the application.

An update sheet had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting with details of the wording of proposed planning condition no. 7, which was recommended by Officers to be amended to read as follows:-

“CONDITION: No development shall commence above slab level until a scheme for the provision and implementation of water, energy and resource efficiency measures for the lifetime of the development shall be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority.  The scheme such include as a minimum to achieve:-

- Agreement of carbon level

- Agreement of provisions to ensure the development is zero carbon ready

- A Water-butt per dwelling

- Compost bin per dwelling

- Agreement of heating of each dwelling/building

- Agreement of scheme for waste reduction

The scheme shall be fully implemented prior to the first occupancy of the development unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The scheme shall be constructed and the measures provided and made available for use as may be agreed and thereafter shall be maintained. 

REASON: To enhance the sustainability of the development through better use of water, energy and resources reduce harm to the environment and result in wider public benefit in accordance with the NPPF.”

Mollie Foley, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.