Land South East Of Wood Edge Main Road Bicknacre Chelmsford Essex

1. 1.Reason 1 National decision making policy N6(1.) of the NPPF states that to support the conservation of important habitats, species and sites of geodiversity value, development proposals affecting: a. A site of international importance, which for the purpose of this policy is a habitats site, should be refused unless: i. An appropriate assessment has concluded that the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the site (either individually or in combination with other developments), or the proposal can satisfy the derogation tests; and/or ii. The impact of development on the relevant protected features of the protected site is being addressed through an Environmental Delivery Plan which has been made and the developer has committed to paying the nature restoration levy. Policy DM16 of the Local Plan (part A) states that developments that are likely to have an adverse impact (either individually or in combination with other developments) on European Designated Sites must satisfy the requirements of the Habitats Regulations, determining site specific impacts and avoiding or mitigating against impacts where identified. Where appropriate, contributions from developments will be secured towards mitigation measures identified in the Essex Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS). No RAMS fee or mitigation has been proposed by the applicants, and the proposed development is likely to have an adverse impact on the integrity of the Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and the Blackwater Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) which are of national importance. The proposal conflicts with Policy DM16 of the NPPF and in accordance with Policy N66 (1) of the National Planning Policy Framework should therefore be refused. WEB PBCS090 26/00734/FUL REFULZ Reason 2 Policy DM16 of the Chelmsford Local Plan sets out that all development proposals should: i. Conserve and enhance the network of habitats, species and sites (both statutory and non-statutory, including priority habitats and species) of international, national and local importance commensurate with their status and give appropriate weight to their importance; and ii. Avoid negative impacts on biodiversity and geodiversity, mitigate unavoidable impacts and as a last resort compensate for residual impacts; and iii. Deliver a net gain in biodiversity where possible, by creating, restoring and enhancing habitats, and enhancing them for the benefit of species Policy N6(1)B of the NPPF sets out that a site of national importance, which for the purpose of this policy is one designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, should only be supported if: i. There would be no adverse effect (either individually or in combination with other developments) on the site's features of special scientific interest; or ii. The benefits of the development in the location proposed clearly outweigh both the likely impact on the features of special scientific interest, and any broader impact on the national network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest; or iii. The impact of development on the relevant protected feature of the protected site is being addressed through an Environmental Delivery Plan which has been made and the developer has committed to paying the nature restoration levy. The site adjoins Thrift Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is also priority habitat and Ancient Woodland. Insufficient information has been provided which satisfies that there would be no adverse impacts on protected species and habitat within the site itself, and that the site would not have an adverse impact on the adjacent SSSI. The proposal therefore conflicts with Policy DM16 of the Local Plan and Policy N6(1) of the NPPF. Reason 3 Policy DM17 of the Local Plan states that planning permission will be granted for development proposals that do not result in unacceptable harm to the health of a preserved tree, trees in a Conservation Area or Registered Park a

From the council's decision notice.

Date validated

19 June 2026