Plans for 300 new homes in Rochford to be debated following appeal
Proposals are set to be debated by District Councillors on Tuesday
Plans for 300 homes will be discussed by councillors after the developer of the project claimed they have taken too long to make a descison. Bellway Strategic Land Limited has launched an appeal over its plans for a development off Victory Lane in Rochford, claiming the local council has taken too long to decide if the project can go ahead.
Rochford District councillors will debate the proposals at a meeting of the council’s development committee next Tuesday (June 23). The report ahead of the meeting states that councillors would have been recommended to approve the proposals, but the final decision now lies with the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.
The documents state there would be “harm” to the area as well as the loss of some of “the best and most versatile” farmland, but that the project’s “benefits” outweigh these issues.
The report states: “The benefits are, however, considerable and weighed against the harm, the overall balance is considered to be substantially favourable to the list of benefits.” The report also says the “adverse impacts of the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”
It’s the latest plan where the developer has accused the council of taking too long on its decision. Taylor Wimpey has a similar appeal ongoing in relation to its proposals for 350 homes on land between Mount Bovers Lane and Gusted Hall Lane, Main Road, Hawkwell.
A Rochford District Council spokesperson said: “At the Development Committee on Tuesday 23 June, a report will be considered regarding an outline planning application for the Land East of Victory Lane in Rochford. As this planning application has already been subject to a non-determination appeal, the final decision on this application will be for an Independent Planning Inspector.
“The committee’s decision purpose will be to guide the Council’s approach to that appeal. As usual, the Development Committee meeting will be webcast live via the Council’s YouTube channel.”