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Apologies had been received from Cllr Wiles and Cllr Reed was substitute.  Apologies were also received from Cllr Barrett.

The Minutes of the Planning and Licensing Committee held on 27^th July 2021 were approved as a true record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee which took place on 28^th June 2021 were agreed as a true record.

A request was received from the applicant to defer this item.This is because of a recent objection from a local resident who had until now been supporting the scheme. The applicant is keen to undertake further work in an attempt to resolve this objection, which relates to development proposals towards the northern boundary of the site. The item will be brought to a future meeting of the committee.

This application had been referred to committee at the request of Councillor Haigh for the following reasons:

1)    The Hugh Chappington Charity has served the poor and needy of Little Warley for 300 years.

2)    The site from 1720 had been a Poor House, from 1840 -1912 a School, from 1912-1969 accommodation and then in 1969 with the request and finance from Brentwood Council the present Alms Houses were built.

3)    The Charity has the encouragement of The Charity Commissioners to use their capital and financial support of The Alms-houses Association.

4)    They embrace the policy with Local Authorities and The Alms houses Association for small developments in the Green Belt

5)    They are developing on the foundations of the old farm barns rather than impact on the frontage of Magpie Lane

6)    There is a need and demand for low rent social housing and they are fulfilling the aims of the charity to give relief in need.

7)    They have 100% support from the village community and the Village Hall Committee. Their Alms Houses are an integral part of the village community and an important part of what holds us together as a village entity.

8)    This development will be very beneficial for those in need and it cannot be built anywhere else.

9)    In all the circumstances, these facts amount to very special circumstances which individually and collectively clearly outweigh any harm to the green belt which this development might cause.

This application relates to the erection of a single storey, pitched roof building to provide 3 one bed dwellings. The building would have an approximately rectangular footprint, 23.7m long, by 10.3 m wide, 2.5 to eaves and 6.7 to ridge. The building would be adjacent to a similar block, though end on to the road, with vehicular access and parking to the east and small gardens to the west. The materials would be brown/red multi stock brick, some vertical tile hanging, with brown concrete plain tiles on the roof.

To the rear and west is open countryside.

Mr Ovenden summarised the report.

Alderman David Tee, a Trustee of the Charity, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Cllr Haigh, Ward Councillor, spoke in favour of the application.  Ward Cllrs Cuthbert and Laplain also spoke supporting the application.

A motion to APPROVE the application was moved by Cllr Laplain and SECONDED by Cllr Cuthbert.

Following discussion a vote was taken and Members voted as follows:

FOR:  Cllrs Barber, Bridge, Cloke, Cuthbert, Fryd, Gelderbloem, Heard, Laplain, Mynott, Reed and Tanner (11)

AGAINST: (0)

ABSTAIN : (0)

The application was APPROVED. 

The Committee identified the following matters as the Very Special Circumstances that justify granting planning permission in this case:

·         This is a development of three affordable units in a Ward in need of affordable housing;

·         The provision of the Alms-houses would be of benefit to local people and attracted no objections;

·         It is an appropriate site for a small development of Alms-houses

·         Compliant with Policy H10; and

·         The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

A request for deferral had been received on this item. This is to consider a revised set of application drawings and so will be brought to a future meeting of the committee.

There were no items of urgent business.

                                                                        The meeting concluded at 19.40