No apologies had been received.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th June 2023 were approved as a true record.

This application had been reported to the Planning Committee in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution.

Ms Brooke Pride presented the report.

Cllr Barrett, Ward Councillor, spoke in favour of the application. 

Cllr Bridge MOVED that the application be APPROVED.  This was SECONDED by Cllr Mynott.

Members voted as follows:

For: Cllrs Dr Barrett, Bridge, M Cuthbert, N Cuthbert, Francois, Gelderbloem, Gorton, Heard, McCheyne, Munden, Murphy, Mynott (12)

AGAINST:  (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

The application was APPROVED.

This application had been referred to committee following a request from Navestock Parish Council. When submitting its request, the Parish Council said the following:

•       The design of the dwellings are sympathetic to the rural setting.

•       The proposed dwellings are not inappropriate development in this area of the Parish where the property in question is nestled in between 5 traveller sites.

•       These 2 well designed dwellings will not impact on the openness of the

greenbelt, but in fact will enhance an area where greenbelt policies and its openness have been ignored by those who have purchased the surrounding land.

•       Its position offers accessibility to nearby amenities by car.

Ms Brooke Pride presented the report.

The Applicant, Mr Paul Buckley, was present at the meeting and spoke in support of his application.

Cllr Parker, Ward Councillor, was also present at the meeting and spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Gelderbloem, addressed the Committee as Chairman of Navestock Parish Council and Ward Councillor, expanding on the reasons for the referral.

Cllr Mynott MOVED and Cllr M Cuthbert SECONDED that the application  be REFUSED.

Members requested whether the highways issues highlighted in the report could be dealt with under Conditions.  Officers confirmed this was not possible.

Following discussion Members voted as follows:

FOR:  Cllrs Dr Barrett, M Cuthbert, N Cuthbert, Gorton, Munden, Mynott (6)

AGAINST:  Cllrs Bridge, Francois, Heard, McCheyne, Murphy (5)

ABSTAIN:  (0)

The application was REFUSED.

[Cllr Gelderbloem declared a non-pecuniary interest as Chairman of Navestock Parish Council and withdrew from the vote.]

This report reproduced data extracted from nationally published appeal performance figures for planning authorities in Essex for the twelve months up to March 2023.

This supplements regular appeal updates provided to the committee.

Mr Drane summarised the report.

Members welcomed this report and noted its contents.

There were no items of urgent business.

The meeting concluded at 19.50.