Kelvedon new homes get permission after appeal by developer

Braintree Council planning officers had recommended outline plans be granted for 300 homes, a health centre, shops, care home and an early years and childcare facility, on land north of London Road, Kelvedon.

That was refused in December 2021 on the basis it was against the Local Plan and because it was an unallocated site, would harm heritage assets and is in an unsustainable location.

A planning inspector disagreed, saying the council’s housing land supply had slipped below five years and the new development would provide housing and benefit the commuity.

But Green district councillor James Abbott, who represents the area, claims the system is broken and that almost 1,000 homes have been given permission on green belt land since the start of the year.

They include 230 homes at Rivenhall, almost 100 at Silver End and 250 at Cressing.

Mr Abbott said: “These are all sites that were rejected from the Local Plan or never considered for it. Three were granted on appeal after Braintree Council adopted its Local Plan which has well over the legally required amount of housing.

“It was 14,000 that was required. There were around 15,000 in the plan. These are going to send it to 16,000. How many houses is Braintree Council supposed to deliver?

He added: "The big concern is this may not be the end of it. There may be more to come.

“The system is broken. It’s flawed, it’s chaotic.”

Councillors previously voted against plans to build 300 homes on land off London Road in Kelvedon (Image: N/A)

Council plannning boss Gabrielle Spray says the planning system needs reform.

She said: “Residents should be assured that the district is not a ‘free for all’ for developers, who must still justify their applications against nationally-set planning policies.

“We will always fight where we can against unsustainable, poorly designed developments and ensure the infrastructure such as roads, schools, health and sports facilities are also there to support our desire to make sure the Braintree district continues to be a great place for residents to live, work and thrive.

“The national planning system may not be perfect but every decision we make must comply with the way it currently operates and not how we might wish things to be."

“This situation shows why the planning system needs reform, which we’ve been lobbying the Government very hard for, in the hope that it will create a more engaging, equitable and effective locally led planning system to give our communities more certainty that the right homes will be built in the right places across the Braintree district.”