YET another planning application has been submitted for a site in a Stanford-le-Hope residential area where planners have already rejected two previous applications and a third was withdrawn.

After previous bids for ten, nine and then seven dwellings on land at 53 to 55 Third Avenue, a new application - also for seven homes - has been tabled.

Cedarmill Developments Ltd hope to build on the guidance given in two planning appeals, which though lost have pointed a way forward so the scheme could go ahead.

The development requires the demolition of two existing bungalows.

The history of the site shows an initial application for ten detached homes was withdrawn following comments made by the planning department regarding existing building lines; overlooking and bulk and mass concerns.

A subsequent application for nine dwellings was thrown out because "the proposed development, by reason of the subdivision and overdevelopment of these existing generous residential plots in the Homesteads ward, an area in which spacious gardens are a particularly valuable character trait, would result in a significant adverse impact upon this identified character area."

The refusal was subsequently appealed. However, this was dismissed on as the inspector also found the proposal to be out of character with the surrounding area.

The applicants then came back again with a scheme for seven homes with design alterations to address the concerns raised on the previous application. The application was refused on 3 April 2020 on the grounds that it again would "result in a significant adverse impact upon this identified character area."

Once more the decision was taken to appeal and this time much of it found favour with the inspector who said: "I have found that the proposal would not be harmful with regard to the first main issue, concerning the effect on character and appearance.

"However, I have also found that adequate provision would not be secured to mitigate the likely significant effects on a protected European site and to fund a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which finding must outweigh that in favour of the appeal.'

A TRO is a legal document that restricts or prohibit the use of the highway in line with The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and helps local authorities manage the highway network for all road users, including pedestrians and they aim to improve road safety and access to facilities.