®Planning appeal decision
Field North of Montpelier Farm, Main Road, Little Waltham , CM3 3PA
the “erection of an Integrated Retirement Community (Use Class C2) comprising; a Village Care Centre, 58 bedroom care home, 45 care suites (comprising one and two bedrooms), 100 care apartments (comprising one and two bedrooms), wellness spa, open space and associated works including car parking, access, hard and soft landscaping and associated engineering works
- Authority
- Chelmsford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- residential · Other Major Developments
- Inspector
- Catchpole R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and its effect on the setting of two non-designated heritage assets comprising a World War II pillbox and Sparrowhawks Farm
- whether it would preserve the setting, as it relates to the significance of the Grade II listed building known as "Little Waltham Lodge", and the extent to which it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Little Waltham Conservation Area
- whether the site is appropriate for development having regard to local and national planning policies that seek to manage the location of new development
What decided it
The significant landscape and visual harm combined with the harm to the setting of the listed building outweighed the benefits of the scheme, including the pressing need for specialist housing for the elderly.
The harm to the setting of the listed building, significant landscape and visual harm, and residual harm to the Pillbox outweighed the social, economic and environmental benefits, including the delivery of specialist housing for older people and affordable housing contributions.
Framework references: 60, 63, 225, 203, 205, 206, 208
Plan policies cited: S1, S3, S6, S7, S11, DM1, DM8, DM13, DM14, DM17, S4, S9, DM2, DM15, DM16, DM18, DM23-25, DM27, DM29-30
Judgments cited: Paul Newman Homes v SSHCLG [2021] EWCA Civ 15; Wavendon Properties Ltd v SSHCLG and Milton Keynes Council [2019] EWHC 1524 (Admin); Mead Realisations Ltd v SSLUHC [2024] EWHC 279 (Admin)
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.