®Planning appeal decision
Oaktree Farm, Burnham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7QS
Planning appeal 3355306 at Oaktree Farm, Burnham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7QS (Chelmsford Borough Council) was dismissed on 5 June 2025 by Inspector Knight A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development is inappropriate in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
demolition of existing dwelling, commercial building and three ancillary storage structures. Erection of replacement dwelling and single additional new dwelling with associated amenity space, tree planting, parking, EV charging points and landscaping
- Authority
- Chelmsford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Knight A
- Postcode
- SS11 7QS
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development is inappropriate in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- The effect of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
- Whether the site is in a suitable location for the proposed development having regard to local and national planning policies and access to services and facilities
What decided it
The site's unsustainable location, requiring reliance on private car use for essential journeys to basic facilities, conflicts with development plan policies and the Framework's climate change objectives and cannot be justified by the modest housing benefit or uncertain fallback position.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy S1Policy S11Policy DM6Policy DM9Policy S7
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 155Paragraph 164
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.