Planning permission was being sought for the demolition of existing garages, community hall and associated pocket park and for the construction of a replacement community hall  and 9 residential dwellings (4 x 1 bed, 2 x 2 bed and 3 x 3 bed units) with associated parking, amenity and landscaping.

The application had been submitted to Brentwood Borough Council on behalf of Brentwood Development Partnership (the applicant) which is a joint venture between Morgan Sindall Investments Limited (MSIL) and Seven Arches Investment Limited (SAIL).

A linked application had also been submitted for 1-2 Seven Arches Road (application ref: 20/01802/FUL) for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a three-storey residential building comprising 11 units along with associated parking and facilities. This residential development at Maple Close site is the affordable housing donor site, for the 1-2 Seven Arches Road development, all residential units at Maple Close are to be delivered as affordable rent.

As such these applications were considered in tandem, since they are

interdependent on meeting compliance for affordable housing requirements.

Ms Outram was present at the meeting and summarised the report.

A written statement in objection to the application had been received from Mr Murdock which was read out by the Chair.

“I am writing this letter in response to the planned development consultation process and the letter dated 3^rd February 2021 from Savills.

“First of all, I would like to thank you for providing a more detailed drawing, indicating the proposed rear plan in relation to Orchard Avenue, and for the consideration appertaining to the retaining walls at the rear to some of the properties on Orchard avenue, and the acknowledgment of the need to provide adequate security to the rear wall once the garage is removed. Particular attention should be considered to the fence heights where the parking spaces are located next to plot 8/9. The residents with gardens effected should not be exposed to potentially more risk of trespass, than was originally in place.

“One of the local residents mentioned the concern from potential nuisance glare from the provision of security lighting to parking. Can you please confirm that street lighting will not be provided, or indicate that it will be provided by low-level bulkheads?

It is a shame that the only local park to this area would be lost, to facilitate this new build, as that will force residents to have to take their children to busier and overcrowded parks in the area, which are further away. The larger parks can often overwhelm younger children, especially those with learning difficulties and that decision seems to go against the whole green initiative this development is proposing to encompass. 

“In the comments on rear boundary separation distance, an extract from the EDG has been mentioned but I see no mention of the full text from Brentwood Borough Councils Design guide which states as bellow:

As a minimum, every effort should be made to avoid overlooking of rear-facing living room windows. This may be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 754