®Planning appeal decision
Land to the Rear of Dorothy Curtice Court, London Road, Copford, Colchester, CO6 1DX
Planning appeal 3343788 at Land to the Rear of Dorothy Curtice Court, London Road, Copford, Colchester, CO6 1DX (Colchester Borough Council) was dismissed on 4 July 2025 by Inspector Robbie G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
the erection of one assisted living block (for the over 55s) of 72 units comprising 32no. one bedroom flats and 40 no. two bedroom flats and associated communal facilities; erection of sheltered housing accommodation of 18 units (as an extension to the existing scheme at Dorothy Curtice Court for over 55s), comprising 13no. one bedroom flats and 5no. two bedroom flats; together with associated access, amenity space, vehicle and bicycle parking, EVC points, hard and soft landscaping, sub-station, drainage ponds, boundary treatments and other associated works
- Authority
- Colchester Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Robbie G
- Postcode
- CO6 1DX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
What decided it
The scale, bulk and massing of the assisted living block fails to respond positively to the local character and context and would present a harsh, jarring transition from the open countryside and two-storey residential setting, contrary to development plan design policies.
The considerable weight given to the provision of 100% affordable specialist housing for older people and the appropriate design of the sheltered accommodation element do not outweigh the significant harm to character and appearance caused by the scale, bulk and massing of the assisted living block.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- CBLP2 Policy SS4CBLP1 Policy SP7CBLP2 Policy DM15Copford with Easthorpe Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy CE4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 135
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
More decisions in Colchester City Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Dismissed2 October 202660050147 East Mersea Road, West Mersea, CO5 8SL
- Dismissed2 October 202660050117 East Mersea Road, West Mersea, CO5 8SL
- Allowed24 September 20266009382Land at Colchester Rd, Colchester, CO6 3JX
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.