Agenda item

To consider application UTT/22/2744/FUL.

The Head of Development Management and Enforcement outlined the reasons for the report being brought back to the Committee, following previous consideration on 8 February 2023.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a planning application for the erection of 4 industrial/ flexible employment (Use Class E) buildings with associated landscaping and parking. Following refusal of the application at the meeting on 8 February 2023, additional information and clarification had been received and brought back to the Committee.

He recommended that the Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 17 of the report.

In response to questions from Members, officers:

• Said that the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) were considering locating a medical centre in the area and that an extension of the option period had been given to 5 years. Possible dimensions of the medical centre were also given. Reference was made to the correspondence with the NHS in the Late List.
• Expressed concern that a possible S106 relating to a medical centre might require NHS commitment to build a surgery which was outside of the control of the developer.
• Said that car parking would be provided of 25 + 101 spaces.
• Said that the Economic Team supported the application which should also provide additional employment.
• Said that Place Services had not objected to the proposal and that what had previously been said by PINS was that a 15 metre buffer zone to the Ancient Woodland of Prior’s Wood was adequate.

Members discussed:

• The need for caution in respect of the possible attraction of a new medical centre and whether it would be possible to get more certainty about a facility being guaranteed. Confirmation of the size of the medical centre was requested as to whether the size would be sufficient for the purposes of the NHS Integrated Care Board.
• Whether 25 car parking spaces would be enough in that area.
• The abundance of industrial units already in the area and traffic concerns.
• The CPZ not being protected.
• Whether or not there had really been any significant movement since the Planning Committee meeting in February 2023.
• Possible problems accessing a medical centre through the site; an alternative public right of way alongside the boundary was identified. It was stated that it could possibly be conditioned as a public right of way to the surgery.
• Loss of views and no sympathy for Ancient Woodland.
• The fact that previous appeal decisions needed to be considered.
• The size of the buffer zone.
• The possible re-configuration of the light industrial units.
• The general need for greater certainty over the proposals.

Councillor LeCount proposed that the application be approved with an additional condition relating to the footpath around the boundary being a public right of way.

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Emanuel.

This motion was lost.

Councillor Bagnall proposed that the application be deferred in order to allow for further information on a possible Medical Centre to be gathered and for further work to be undertaken in respect of the boundary footpath being utilised as a public right of way to a Medical Centre.

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Emanuel.

The motion was carried on the casting vote of the Chair.

RESOLVED that the item be deferred in line with the motion.

M Peachey and Councillor P Barber (Takeley PC) spoke against the application.

D Pool (Agent) spoke in support.

The meeting adjourned between 3.10 pm and 3.20 pm.