Land south of, Kelvedon Road, Inworth

1. 1.Paragraph 135 of The National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework)(2024) requires decisions to ensure development is sympathetic to local character and history, including landscape setting. Colchester Borough Local Plan 2013-2033 Section 1 (2021) Policy SP 7 requires all development to meet high standards of architectural design, respond positively to local character and protect and enhance asset of natural value. Local Plan 2017-2033 Section 2 (2022) Policy DM15 requires all development to be designed to a high standard, achieve good standards of amenity, respect and, where possible, enhance the character of the site, its context and its surroundings, including in terms of layout and landscape qualities. Policy ENV1 places requirements for development outside the settlement boundary to be compatible with local landscape character and setting, with due regard to Colchester�s Landscape Character Assessment. Policies DM6, DM7 and OV2 place further requirements for development - including specifically agricultural development and diversification - to avoid adverse landscape impacts and harmonise with the local character and surrounding countryside where they are being proposed. The proposed development would represent a visually intrusive feature in the landscape. The proposal would change the open character of the area and by virtue of the proposed means of enclosure, associated hard landscaping and anticipated on-site activity, the proposal would adversely impact the tranquillity of the site and its landscape setting. The proposed development would IMPORTANT – ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE NOTES ATTACHED DC1001MWD be located in an unsustainable location and would also be viewed from the adjacent southern PRoW. For the reasons outlined above the proposal is contrary to the aforementioned national and local policies.
2. 2.The application contains insufficient ecological information on the site. In the absence of the necessary ecological information, potential impacts on protected species cannot be fully assessed, and it cannot therefore be ensured that any such potential impacts either could or would be mitigated, and that the proposal would not result in harm to development would be contrary to Section 40 of the Natural Environment and rural Communities Act 2006 [NERC] which places a duty on all public authorities in England and Wales to have regard, in the exercise of their functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity. A core principle of the NPPF (2024) is also that planning should contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment and Paragraph 187 of the NPPF specifically states development should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment and minimise impacts on biodiversity. The development is further contrary to Section 2 Local Plan (2022) Policy ENV1 which requires development proposals to safeguard biodiversity and be supported by appropriate ecological surveys.
3. 3.The development is contrary to Section 2 Local Plan (2022) Policy DM21: Sustainable Access to Development which seeks to ensure, Access to all development should be created in a manner which maintains the right and safe passage of all highway users. Where development requires a new road or road access it should be designed to give high priority to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. Due to the lack of information contained withnin the application, it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the proposed development would be acceptable in terms of highways safety. From the information provided, it is also unclear whether adequate visibility splays can be provided. Therefore the proposed development fails to comply with the aforementioned policies. PLEASE NOTE: a site notice was erected in a publicly visible location at the site. Colchester Borough Council would appreciate your co-operation in taking the site notice down and disposing of it.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CO5 9SP

Application type

Full (13 Week Determination)

Scale / size

Medium

Parish

Messing cum Inworth

Date validated

22 May 2025

Consultation expiry

14 June 2025

Consultation end

14 June 2025

Target decision date

21 August 2025

Statutory period

91 days

Appeal result

l

UPRN

10070234234

Documents

14