Agenda item

To consider application UTT/22/2744/FUL.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report seeking full planning permission for the construction of 4 industrial/flexible employment buildings with associated landscaping and parking. This application had been deferred at the Planning Committee on 8 March 2023.

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

In response to various questions from Members, officers:

• Confirmed that provision of a medical facility was not a requirement, just a proposal and to be located within the business park. NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex had supported the proposal. In the event of a medical facility not being taken forward then this would have to be brought back to the Committee.
• Clarified the position in respect of the Grampian condition outlined in Condition 25.
• Said that Essex CC Highways had taken potential developments into consideration when assessing additional vehicle movements on Parsonage Road.
• Said that any footpath concerns would be picked up within the S106 conditions.

Members discussed:

• There being no guarantee that a medical facility would be taken forward and that consideration of the application should be based on the business park considerations. It was considered that the NHS had made as much contribution as they could at the current time but were unable to give certainty.
• The Planning balance considerations, particularly the employment benefits.
• There being no objections from consultees and that any possible refusal could not be on S7 or S8 grounds.
• That the site was not isolated and was surrounded on three sides by existing developments.
• Concerns about future traffic movements on Parsonage Road in that no cumulative assessment had been undertaken and the possible impact of commercial vehicles. It was noted that no objections had been raised by Essex CC Highways but that safety mitigation measures could be added in relation to sustainable transport measures.
• The impact on the Woodland and CPZ concerns. Officers stated that a Planning Inspector had assessed the exact site and concluded “minimal” harm to the CPZ.
• The possibilities of better access on foot and cycle and the need for required improvements to the Public Right of Way 40 to bring this to adoptable standards.
• The need for the Community to benefit in the event of a medical facility not being built.

Councillor LeCount proposed that the application be approved in line with the recommendation and on condition that the S106 agreement wording in relation to sustainable transport measures should also include safety measures with an additional condition relating to the footpath around the boundary being a public right of way. In addition there were required improvements to the Public Right of Way 40 to bring this to adoptable standards.

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Emanuel.

RESOLVED that the Director of Planning be authorised to grant planning permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 17 of the report together with the additions as proposed above.

M Peachey and Councillor P Barber (Takeley PC) spoke against the proposal. D Poole and J Spencer (for the applicants) spoke in support.

The meeting adjourned for a comfort break between 11.45 am and 11.55 am.