The current volume of planning applications and decisions in the PWRA area can make it challenging to keep up with what is being proposed for our area. Consequently the PWRA Planning Officer now prepares a summary of planning activity in our area so we can more easily track this, and determine the action we will take for new planning applications.
We believe that this will also be useful for members and publish it here so YOU can quickly see what we believe to be the most significant planning matters in the PWRA area, the actions we will be taking / have taken, and enable members to take their own actions (eg objecting or supporting new planning applications).
Please do read through this Planning Summary, and we strongly urge you to also take the actions that we at the PWRA will be taking (see Objection reasons in RED INK) in response to the new applications listed.
Running Total of Additional Housing Units in the PWRA Area (from 2018):
Total: 3356 housing units
of which:
Approved: 1813 housing units
Pending: 592 housing units
Refused: 808 housing units
Withdrawn: 143 housing units
Applications Granted
861 Brighton Road (Ref: 22/01085/FUL) Convert semi-detached house into 4 flats (1 X 3 bed, 1 x 2
bed, 2 x 1 bed).
38 Grovelands Road (Ref: 21/03624/FUL) Conversion of existing residential care home (for up to 14
residents) into 9 flats for 9 people with learning disabilities/people with complex needs.
59 Pampisford Road (Ref: 20/06202/FUL) Conversion of the existing 4 bedroom house into an HMO
for up to 10 residents.
Applications Refused
51 Smitham Downs Road (21/03355/FUL) Extension to created 2 x 2 bed flats. Comment: Reasons
for refusal: 1) The proposed development would detract from the appearance of the building and
would be detrimental to the character of the area by reason of the scale, design and unsympathetic
roof form; 2) The development would result in sub-standard accommodation; 3) It has not been
demonstrated that vehicles can enter and exit the site in forward gear; pedestrian and vehicular
sightlines have not been demonstrated; cycle storage has not been provided; 4) Insufficient
information has been provided to demonstrate that there would be no harm to the existing
protected trees; 5) The proposal fails to address fire safety or demonstrate that the highest
standards of fire safety would be achieved.
56 Smitham Downs Road (21/03264/OUT) This proposal for 9 flats (3 x 3 bed, 6 x 2 bed) was taken to
appeal when not determined by the council within the 8 week timetable. At Appeal the council said
the proposal would have been refused due to: 1) The effect on the character and appearance of the
area; 2) The effect on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers with particular regard to 54
Smitham Downs Road; 3) The effect on highway safety; 4) The quality of accommodation for future
occupiers. The Planning Inspector dismissed the appeal based mainly on unacceptable effect on the
character and appearance of the area.
Significant New Applications
3 Church Road (Ref: 22/02115/FUL) Demolition of the existing detached garage and the subdivision
of the existing site to enable the erection of a four bedroom detached house with 2 car parking
spaces. Comment: This is an infill development. The subdivision of the site appears to allocate the
proposed new house only a small garden area. Therefore whilst this application is for a house
propose objection due over-development.
33 Foxley Lane (Ref: 22/01970/FUL) Construction of a 5 bed detached house adjacent to existing,
with 3 car parking spaces. Comment: This property as previously had an application for 9 flats
refused. Propose a neutral stance.
28 Foxley Hill Road (Ref: 22/02223/LP) Comment: This is the second application to change the use of
this house into a five bed children’s home. The first was refused mainly on the ground that there is
no identified need for such a facility in the borough. PWRA had objected to the first application, and
propose we do so again.
128 Foxley Lane (Ref: 22/02084/FUL) Demolition of existing family home and construction of a 4
storey block of 16 flats (2 x 1 bed, 12 x 2 bed, 2 x 3 bed) with 16 car parking spaces, and including 5
affordable flats (35% of the development) Comment: The proposed car access to this site is via the
adjoining approved development. Without this the shared access this proposal is clearly an even
greater overdevelopment of the site than it already is. Propose objection based on: Loss of a family
home, Over-development, Out of character, Detrimental to the amenity of occupiers of adjoin
properties, Inadequate car parking.
21a Godstone Road (Ref: 22/01525/FUL) Demolition of existing family home and construction of a 4
storey building with 5 flats (1 x 3 bed, 1 x 2 bed, 3 x 1 bed) with no car parking spaces. Comment:
Propose objection based on: Loss of a family home, Over-development, Out of character,
Detrimental to the amenity of occupiers of adjoin properties, Inadequate car parking.
5 More Close (Ref: 22/01219/FUL) Demolition of family home and construction of a four storey block
of 9 flats (6 x 2 bed, 3 x 3 bed) with 4 car parking spaces. Comment: This seems to be a further
application to supercede those previously for this property. Propose objection based on: Loss of a
family home, Over-development, Out of character, Detrimental to the amenity of occupiers of adjoin
properties, Inadequate car parking.
12 The Close, (off Pampisford Road) (Ref: 22/01393/FUL) Demolition of existing side extension and
construction two storey side extension to form a new 3 bed house with no car parking. Comment:
An existing semi-detached house becomes a terrace of 3 houses. Propose a neutral stance.
6a Russell Hill Road (Ref: 22/01599/FUL) Conversion of existing 2 bed flat into 1 x 1 bed, and 1 x 2
bed flats. Comment: Propose a neutral stance.
Tudor Court 6-16 Russell Hill Road (Ref: 22/02105/FUL) Extension and conversion of existing roof
space to create 9 x 2 flats with balconies to all flats. Comment: This seems to be a further application
to supercede the previous (approved) proposal for 6 flats in the same location. Propose a neutral
stance from a planning perspective.
Appeals
17 Briar Hill (Ref: 21/04129/FUL) Demolition of existing house/garage and erection of replacement
dwelling. The proposal was rejected by the council as: 1) The existing house on the site makes a
positive contribution to the character of the conservation area. Demolishing it would cause harm to
the character and appearance of the conservation area and would not meet the statutory objective
to preserve and enhance the character of the Webb Estate conservation area; 2) The information
supplied with the application did not demonstrate how the proposed dwelling would positively
contribute to the Webb Estate Conservation Area (esp due to the lack of detailed design material
submitted!).
Withdrawn
22 Purley Hill (Ref: 21/04623/FUL) Demolition of existing property, outbuildings, and swimming pool,
and erection of 8 semi-detached houses.