A DECISION on granting planning permission for an application to build four bungalows on a site in Orsett Heath has been deferred for members to go and see the proposed development's location.

Councillors at tonight's (Thursday, 26 November) Thurrock council planning meeting considered the application to squeeze four detached two-bedroom bungalows on the rear part of the site of the former Barmoor House at Orsett Heath.

The rear garden of the former dwelling would be subdivided for each plot and off-street parking is proposed to be provided for each of the dwellings. Access to the properties would be achieved via Farm Road.

Part of the site has already been built on and committee chair Cllr Tom Kelly said: "Looking at this as a whole, it is an example of a developer coming back for more."

Officers recommended that the application be rejected , saying it was inappropriate development in the green belt and that there were issues with bins collection."

Cllr Gerard Rice was in favour of the application saying: "You will be aware this in my area and I did call this in thinking there would be an almighty cry about having four more bungalows but the only concern has been the condition of the road.

"That being so, by use of an planning condition, we should approve this. We need more aged dwelling like these bungalows."

However, Cllr Gary Byrne was against, pointing out that there were already more than 700 unsold bungalows in the borough.

Non-voting committee member Steven Taylor, who represented the Council for the protection for Rural England, said: "It will come as no surprise, needless to say, that I think it is completely wrong. This has happened before where the development on the front of the road replaced a previous building, with the same footprint.

"This part of the rear, originally the garden, is in the green belt. The development at the front was the maximum permitted development and now less than two years down the road they are saying, no no no, let's build some more."

Cllr Kelly attempted to sum up, saying that it was partially his view that there was an opportunity to get something on the site, but he added: "Could more be done, maybe three bungalows, that could be an option. There are no negative comments from residents. These are the sorts of application where, if you are going to approve it, this is one. But I would like to be consistent on green belt.

"We are taking a hit at the moment on green belt. I have been very critical of members' decisions on green belt. I think this developers needs to work a little bit harder and maybe this is something we could look at a future date."

But rather than reach an immediate conclusion, Cllr Angela Lawrence successfully argued for a site visit – even though it may take some time for it to take place because of Covid restrictions.

Cllr Byrne supported that, saying: "The green belt is here for ever so we don't want to lose it, what's another month if we go and look at it."