72 Crompton Street Chelmsford Essex CM1 3GP

1. 1.Reason 1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires Local Planning Authorities to plan for a mix of housing to meet the different needs of the community including families with children, older people and people with disabilities. In paragraph 61 the NPPF that: "To support the Government's objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, it is important that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay. The overall aim should be to meet an area's identified housing need, including with an appropriate mix of housing types for the local community." In addition, in paragraph 63 the NPPF states that: "Within this context of establishing need, the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community should be assessed and reflected in planning policies. (…)" According to Policy DM1 of the adopted Local Plan the Council will protect existing housing from redevelopment to other uses and will require an appropriate mix of dwelling types that contribute to current and future housing needs and create mixed communities including the provision of Specialist Residential Accommodation. As set out in the report, the need for children's homes in Chelmsford area up to 2029 as identified by ECC's Supported and Specialist Housing Needs Assessment 2025 is met through the existing children's homes WEB PBCS090 26/00244/FUL REFULZ registered with ECC and the recent planning consents for an additional four children's homes in Chelmsford. Therefore, the benefits of the scheme do not amount to material considerations of sufficient weight to outweigh the loss of a dwelling when the Council's 5-year housing supply is currently demonstrably unmet in Chelmsford. The proposal conflicts with the NPPF and Policy DM1 of the Local Plan as this would result in the loss of a dwelling to a use that is currently sufficiently met else within Chelmsford area. Reason 2 Policy DM27 of the Local Plan states that the Council will have regards to the vehicle parking standards set out in the Essex Parking Standards - Design and Good Practice guide (2009) or as subsequently amended when determining planning applications. Proposals which provide below these standards should be supported by evidence detailing the local circumstances that justify deviation from the standard.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CM1 3GP

Application type

Full

Scale / size

Small

Validated

25 February 2026

Consultation expiry

8 April 2026

Consultation end

8 April 2026

Target decision date

22 April 2026

Statutory period

56 days

Planning Portal ID

PP-14717201

Documents

14