Planning appeal decision
Elm Cottage & Land Between Comingmak & Newton, Maldon Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 1HN
Planning appeal 3309906 at Elm Cottage & Land Between Comingmak & Newton, Maldon Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 1HN (Braintree District Council) was dismissed on 17 August 2023 by Inspector Barnes D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effects of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
the erection of 5 No. dwellings replacing a single dwelling (Elm Cottage) and access and parking
- Authority
- Braintree District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Barnes D
- Postcode
- CM8 1HN
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effects of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- the living standards of the future occupiers
What decided it
The unacceptable harm to living standards from restricted bedroom outlook combined with unacceptable harm to character and appearance significantly and demonstrably outweighed the housing delivery benefits.
the benefits of delivering 4 additional dwellings and efficient land re-use were outweighed by the unacceptable adverse impacts of poor design quality and inadequate living standards for future occupiers
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy LPP35Policy LPP52Policy LPP47
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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