Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

In the absence of both the Chair and Vice-Chair, Councillor Freeman was nominated and seconded for the Chair. Members supported the nomination and Councillor Freeman took the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Merifield, Lemon and Fairhurst. Councillor Criscione substituted for Councillor Lemon and Councillor Light for Councillor Fairhurst.

Councillors Bagnall and Sutton declared that they were both Ward Members for Takeley.

Councillor Criscione declared a personal interest as his wife was an employee of a company providing transportation services to Universal Aviation but that this had no bearing on his participation in the discussion. The Chair confirmed that this was in order.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 January 2023 were approved.

To consider application UTT/22/0434/FUL.

The Strategic Applications Team Leader presented an application for Outline planning permission for the demolition of existing structures and redevelopment of 61.86Ha to provide 195,100sqm commercial / employment development predominantly within Class B8 with Classes E(g), B2 and supporting food retail/ food/beverage/nursery uses within Classes E (a), E(b) and E(f) and associated access/highway works, electric substation, strategic landscaping and cycle route with matters of layout, scale, appearance and other landscaping reserved.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions as set out in section 18 of the report and the details contained in the Late List.

There was an adjournment taken to address technical issues during the submissions from the Public Speakers between 2.50 pm and 3.00 pm.

In response to various questions raised by Members, officers:

·        addressed questions relating to traffic modelling outside of the A120 and the M11, additional traffic movements and the CAP scheme for peak hours 6.00 – 9.00 and 16.00 – 19.00. It was recognised that particularly relating to the 4 Ashes junction there was a need to keep HGV’s on the main strategic roads and away from the villages.

·        said that Little Bury Lodge was not listed.

·        clarified that the slides showing Burton End were actual points of reference.

·        said that Sport England had objected, they removed their Directive objection, to the scheme but that the football club would not become homeless as there was a requirement within the S106 Heads of Terms for a new pitch to be put in first. The relocation arrangements would be agreed with Sport England.

·        said that air quality concerns and any requirement for a receptor could be addressed through the conditions.

·        provided information in respect of financial benefits to be gained through additional business rates.

·        said that discussions were on-going in respect of the need to move the border control point.

·        said that there would be no loss of ancient woodland and that a fence buffer and hedging would be required at the reserved matters stage, particularly to protect nutrients in the soil that would protect the woodland from air quality issues.

·        said that external lighting and noise management schemes had been addressed within the conditions.

Members discussed:

·        Air Quality conditions and the possibility of a receptor being put in place.

·        Sustainability issues relating to foul drainage water and waste heat recycling and the principles outlined in para 14.3.25 and 14.3.40.

·        There currently being a lot more hard surfacing on site and the landscaping as part of the scheme would help reduce this, provide  softening and improve drainage at reserved matters stage.

A point of order was raised and the Chair made it clear that it was not acceptable for notes to be passed to Members by the public during the debate. This was supported by the Council’s Solicitor who said that the expertise was provided at the top table.

Members further discussed:

·        Highways management issues, protection of local networks, the need for improvements to the A120 and the 4 Ashes junction and the arrangements for  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC3

This document contains late submissions, updates or addendums to existing agenda items which have been received up to and including the end of business on the Friday before Planning Committee. The late list is circulated on the Monday prior to Planning Committee. This is a public document, and it is published with the agenda papers on the UDC website.