Mr Rothery was present and addressed the committee as an objector to the application.

Mr Driscoll, the Agent, was also present and addressed the committee in support of the application. 

Cllr Potter, Doddinghurst Parish Council was present and spoke in objection to the application.

After a full discussion, a motion was MOVED by Cllr McCheyne and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to REFUSE the application due to proposed impact on the neighbouring listed building.

A vote was taken by a show of hands:

FOR:              Cllrs Faragher, Ms Sanders, Mrs Murphy, Mrs Middlehurst, Bridge, Mynott, Newberry, Morrissey, Mrs Hubbard, Keeble, McCheyne and Rowlands (12)

AGAINST:     (0)

ABSTAIN:      (0)

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that application is REFUSED for the following reasons, subject to the amendment of condition 3. 

1.         The proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would materially detract from openness and would represent an encroachment of development into the countryside.  It would therefore conflict with Brentwood Replacement Local Plan Policies GB1 and GB2 and the objectives of the Framework as regards development in the Green Belt.  

2.         Other matters that may weigh in favour of the proposal have been considered but collectively they do not clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt or the other harms identified.  Therefore, very special circumstances to justify inappropriate development in the Green Belt do not exist.

The proposed development, by reason its massing, design and close proximity to the listed building and its curtilage structures, would be harmful to the heritage asset and setting of the adjacent Grade ii listed building 'Barfield Farmhouse'. The proposed harm to the setting of the Listed Building outweighs the public benefit that would be derived from the scheme. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy C16 of the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan and the provisions of the Framework.

3.         The proposal does not provide any provision for affordable housing as part of the proposed scheme.  The lack of affordable housing does not contribute to the significant need for affordable housing in the Borough and is therefore contrary to Policy H9 of the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan and the provisions of the Framework. 

Informative(s)

1.         The following development plan policies contained in the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan 2005 are relevant to this decision: GB1, GB2, C16 and T2; the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 and NPPG 2014.

2.         The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by identifying matters of concern with the proposal and clearly identifying within the grounds of refusal either the defective principle of development or the significant and demonstrable harm it would cause.  The issues identified are so fundamental to the proposal that based on the information submitted with the application, the Local Planning Authority do not consider a negotiable position is possible at this time.   

(Cllr Morrissey declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of her working for an on-line Estate Agent).