Issue - meetings

To consider application UTT/19/0293/FUL

The Planning Officer presented the application for the Erection of 16 no. dwellings with associated garages, parking and landscaping with new vehicular access to Chickney Road.

The application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions and Section 106 Agreement.

Councillor Gerard referred to policy H3 of the adopted Local plan and that the site failed to satisfy all of the criteria for allowing the infill of new houses on windfall sites in settlements including Henham.

The Committee agreed that the site was unsustainable and that the road was dangerous for pedestrian access.

The Development manager advised caution when using GEN1 as a refusal reason as Essex Highways hadn’t raised an objection in consultation.

In response to a Member question the Development Manager confirmed that in order to install a pavement the applicant had advised that it would not take width away from the road.

Councillor LeCount proposed a motion to refuse the application.

Councillor  Gerard Seconded the motion to refuse the application.

RESOLVED: to refuse the application for the following reasons:

1. The proposal, by reason of the introduction of built form at a site visible from both a vehicular highway and a public right of way, would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area by urbanising the site and its setting. The proposal would detract from the rural and generally open character of the site and its setting. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies S7 and GEN2 of the adopted Uttlesford Local Plan; Policy SP 10 of the emerging Uttlesford Local Plan; and, the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. The proposal is not sustainable development in that it represents development at an unsustainable location. The local highway authority has stated that the remote location of the site is such that access to key local services and facilities, public transport, employment and leisure opportunities is limited and for the vast majority of journeys the only practical option would be the car. As such, the proposal would be contrary to the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework; contrary to the adopted Uttlesford Local Plan Policy S7 and contrary to the emerging Local Plan Policy SP 10.

3. The proposal would result in future occupiers of the dwellings walking on a highway without a continuous footway to reach the centre of the village of Henham. The conflict between pedestrian and vehicular traffic would be detrimental to highway safety and result in an unacceptable degree of hazard to all road users. As such the proposal is contrary to Policy GEN1 of the adopted Local Plan and Policy TA 1 of the emerging Local Plan.

B Bamber and S Lee spoke on the application.