Proposed modification to access arrangement to allow access to foreshore as result of erosion.

Members were informed that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the applicant and owner of the site was Tendring District Council.

It was reported that the application sought a modification to the access arrangement following the planning permission previously granted for this site under reference 21/01450/FUL in October 2021. This was due to ongoing erosion that had impacted that access arrangement. The works were in support of a wider scheme that was fundamentally designed to improve coastal defences and stabilise the coast, and were supported in principle.

The Committee was made aware that ECC Highways had raised no objections, and whilst the works would result in a small level of visual harm to a site within a Coastal Protection Belt, they were essential to ensure public safety. Furthermore, following the submission of additional ecological information, ECC Ecology had raise no objections, and no harm to neighbouring amenities had been identified.

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 (MP) in respect of the application.

An update sheet had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting informing it that since the publication of the agenda, Natural England had provided the following additional comments following the completion of a bespoke Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) by Officers:

“The bespoke HRA provided does not clearly set out the effects that the proposed modification of the access routes will have on the designated sites. An updated assessment is required to understand on what effects modifying the access routes may have on the foreshore and designated sites.”

Officer response thereto: “While these comments from Natural England are noted, Officers appreciate that the works involved are essentially a minor variation to those previously allowed under reference 21/01450/FUL. The alterations proposed are considered to have a de minimis impact upon the designated site known as Hamford Water RAMSAR, SAC and SPA, and therefore on this occasion it is not considered to be a reasonable approach to provide a further detailed assessment.”

There were no public speakers on this application.

It was moved by Councillor McWilliams, seconded by Councillor Wiggins and:-

RESOLVED that –

(a)    the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions as stated at paragraph 8.2 of the Officer report (A.3), or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects, including appropriate updates, so long as the principle of the conditions as referenced is retained; and

(b)    the sending to the applicant of any informative notes as may be deemed necessary.