Issue - meetings

Construction of 7 no. dwellings.

Councillor Heaney had earlier declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in relation to Planning Application 16/01927/OUT by virtue of the fact that she was a local Ward Member and also a Parish Councillor for Great Bromley. Councillor Heaney confirmed that although she lived in Great Bromley she did not live near the proposed site.

Councillor Nicholls, present in the public gallery, had earlier declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in relation the Planning Application 16/01927/OUT by virtue of the fact that he was the local Ward Member and also a Parish Councillor for Great Bromley.

It was reported that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Nicholls, a local Ward Member.

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 refusal.

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

An update sheet was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting with details of an amended illustrative street scene plan which had been submitted by the agent.

Parish Councillor Robert Day, representing Great Bromley Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Nicholls, a local Ward Member, spoke in support of the application.

Tim Snow, the agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Following discussion by the Committee and advice provided by Officers, it was moved by Councillor Hones seconded by Councillor Fowler and RESOLVED that the Head of Planning (or equivalent authorised officer) be authorised to refuse outline planning permission for the development, for the following reasons:-

·        Outside development boundary/extended development boundary and the Council are now able to demonstrate a 5 year housing supply - contrary to plan-led approach;

·        Environmentally unsustainable due to the harmful urbanisation and erosion of the semi-rural character; and

·        Socially unsustainable location with a lack of services.

Councillors Baker, V E Guglielmi, McWilliams and Alexander had requested that it be recorded in the minutes that they had abstained from voting on this item.