Temporary construction access (up to 5 years) to facilitate the construction of the Holiday Park extension.

Earlier on in the meeting as detailed in Minute 3 above, Councillor White had declared for the public record that he was one of the local Ward Members. Councillor White stated that he was pre-determined on this application, and he therefore would not remain in the meeting and not take part in the deliberations and decision making. Councillor White had also stated that he would be speaking on this application as the Caller-in and Ward Member.

Members were told that the application was before the Committee at the request of Councillor White due to his concerns with highway safety.

The Committee was informed that the application related to the Oaklands Holiday Village, Colchester Road, St Osyth, specifically the planned expansion for 138 static holiday caravan and lodge pitches, and recreational space approved under planning application reference 21/02129/FUL.

Officers told Members that the application now before them sought temporary planning permission for up to 5 years, for a new construction access from Colchester Road to facilitate the approved holiday park extension.

Members heard that the proposed access could provide the necessary visibility splays in both directions and that Essex County Council Highway Authority had raised no objections, subject to conditions.

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 Senior Planning Officer (AL) in respect of the application.

An Officer Update Sheet had been circulated to Members before the meeting which was as follows:-

• “Essex County Council Place Services Ecology comments received 13.05.2025. Comments provided in full below:

Holding objection due to insufficient ecological information on protected species (out of date report)

Summary

We have assessed the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (The Ecology Consultancy, February 2021), submitted by the applicant, relating to the likely impacts of development on designated sites, protected and Priority species & habitats.

We are not satisfied that there is sufficient ecological information on protected species available for determination. This is because the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (The Ecology Consultancy, February 2021) is out of date to support this application, in line with CIEEM Guidance1

1 CIEEM (2019) Advice note on the Lifespan of Ecological Reports and Surveys - https://cieem.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Advice-Note.pdf and paragraph 6.2.1 of British Standard (BS) BS42020 ‘Biodiversity – Code of practice for planning and development 2013’. This is because the initial site walkover was undertaken in 2020.

As a result, we recommend that the applicant’s ecologist provides an ecological addendum or an updated ecological report to support this application, which should require an additional site visit and may require updated desk study information. The ecologist will be required to provide appropriate justification, on:

•               The validity of the initial report;

•               Which, if any, of the surveys need to be updated; and

•               The appropriate scope, timing and methods for the update survey(s).

If additional impacts to protected species are identified as a result of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5