Valuable Housing Development Allowed at Appeal in Ongar

We are pleased to gain planning consent for 7 homes in Ongar in the Epping Forest District. The application site is part of the large car park of a locally listed pub, and is within an established housing area. Epping Forest were recently put on special measures by the Government because of their planning performance, and this was a challenging application. The site has a large number of close neighbours and complex highways issues. The Ongar Neighbourhood plan means that the Town Council understands planning and has clear views on the type development they want to see. The political situation is challenging with parties vying for control and turning planning applications into local issues.

Planning permission was achieved by carrying out local consultation with neighbours, the Town Council and local Councillors. Support was gained from the Town Council, some neighbours and Councillors. The design was carefully considered and a new access was taken through highways pre-application process, and a safety audit. The application took several months to be decided whilst we worked through consultee issues notably on design and heritage. Planning Officers supported the application, however significant objections meant that the application was decided by Planning Committee. At committee it was refused on highways grounds.

Working with a good local highways engineer we were able to overturn the refusal at Appeal. Other issues which were addressed were the preparation of a Unilateral Undertaking for the appeal working with the Epping Forest District Council legal team.  

The support gained carrying out local pre-application discussions helped the proposal to be robust at appeal, and helped to narrow the issues to be considered by the Inspector. The appeal success gains a valuable housing development in a very accessible area.