Stanfords of Colchester have lodged an application for up to 24 homes on land on North Road Tollesbury with Maldon District Council. Like the 3 much larger applications, it is just an outline with all other matters reserved. It is also not considered a ‘major’ application and therefore the time to comment is shorter.

HART have prepared a sample letter for you to download and the link is at the bottom of the page.

Although this is a development of the size Tollesbury needs, it’s location is somewhat problematic. The proposed vehicle entrance to the site is within the 60 mph zone on North Road/Back Road and the pedestrian entrance is direct onto North Road opposite the public footpath to West St.

As we know from consultee comments for the Welbeck application, opposite this site, the pedestrian route into the village is narrow in places, has pinch points and obstacles like telegraph poles within it and coupled with the parked cars and owners accessing their vehicles, there are concerns for the footpath’s practical use for pedestrians accessing the services and facilities in Tollesbury from the North Road. Such barriers to movement do not encourage walking, cycling and wheeling (including small children on scooters/balance bikes and parents with buggies) reaching local schools, shops, GP etc. daily and this is contrary to Active Travel England Standing Advice.  

If you wish to comment please follow our guidelines as per the other applications

GUIDE FOR WRITING YOUR LETTERS SHOWING VALID PLANNING OBJECTIONS

The points on the next page are based on Maldon’s Local Development Plan (LDP), National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other related documents as shown. These make your objections strong, valid and lawful.

BEWARE! Planners are NOT allowed to consider any of the following, so don’t undermine your case by using any of these!

  • Loss of private view
  • Loss of private access rights
  • Loss of value to your property
  • Land ownership issues

We recommend that you use 4 or 5 of our suggested “VALID” objections. Use your own words. Each letter should be worded uniquely with objections from the “High Value Objections”.

  • Choose some of the points below. There are more on our website with links to the policies.
  • Objections not supported by the policies below are unlikely to comply with planning law and almost certainly won’t be considered.
  • After each point that you use, we suggest that you add – in your own words – why you feel the proposal doesn’t comply with it. Don’t forget to put your comments in order of importance to you.
  • If you get stuck please ask us for help! Look out for our drop-in letter-writing sessions.
  • There is also lots more information on our website. If you don’t have access please contact us and we will help.

Land supply and housing need

  • Maldon’s current Local Development Plan (LDP), adopted by the Secretary of State, does not allocate any housing to Tollesbury and anticipates only 100 houses over 5 years across the whole District on all “Windfall Sites” arising.
  • The LDP states: “outside of defined settlement boundaries, planning permission will only be granted where the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside is not adversely impacted.” The Policies Map for NE Maldon District shows that both these sites are outside Tollesbury’s “settlement boundary”.
  • The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (para 15) states: “The planning system should be genuinely plan-led.” Neither of the developments are part of Maldon Council’s current growth plan.

Natural environment and sustainability

  • The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (para 187) states: “Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: protecting and enhancing valued landscapes….; recognising intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside…;help improve local environment conditions.”
  • The Local Development Plan (LDP) requires that developments “seek to reduce the need to travel, particularly by private vehicle”.

Character, history, distinctiveness and local amenity

  • The LDP states that the District “will retain the identity of our villages”. Tollesbury is well known as “The Village of the Plough and the Sail”.

Education

  • The NPPF (para 100) states: “It is important that a sufficient choice of early years, school and post-16 places are available to meet the needs of existing and new communities”.

Engagement

  • The NPPF (para 137) states that “Applications that can demonstrate early, proactive and effective engagement with the community should be looked on more favourably than those that cannot.” Stanfords did not engage with Tollesbury residents before registering their application.

Infrastructure and road safety

  • The LDP states that all development will have regard to “the capacity of local infrastructure”.
  • You may also wish to refer to the recent sewage leaks, getting a doctor’s appointment, water pressure, public transport, electrical power issues or road safety.

Ensure you include your name, postal address and date and add the relevant Planning Application Reference No 26/00161/OUT

Send your objection via one of the following:

  • Preferably via Maldon District Council’s online service at: https://tinyurl.com/bprb5f3e
  • You will need to register first. Do cc yourself, and it would be useful to forward all objections to HART.

By Email: planning@maldon.gov.uk and tollesbury.hart@btinternet.com

By Post to: Planning Services, Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon CM9 5DL

Please add any further comments on the back and hand in at one of our signing sessions or drop it in at 98 Mell Rd, Tollesbury.