brentwood.gov.uk

We object to the exclusion of any sites in Mountnessing (save for those which already have planning consent/resolution to grant) from the housing land allocations.
Mountnessing lies within the A12 corridor, which the spatial strategy claims to be the focus for development. It is also a sustainable settlement, being served by a local shopping parade and primary school.
To exclude allocations based on the settlement hierarchy is inconsistent compared to treatment of other settlements in this category and in the A12 corridor. The recently granted consents to not serve the needs of Mountnessing. These sites, one with planning permission and another with a resolution to grant subject to a Section 106 agreement, are remote from the settlement, cannot both be relied upon as one is yet to secure planning consent and combined provide less than half of the affordable housing requirement. This is despite the Borough having a high level of affordable housing need, amongst the most expensive housing in Essex, local wages which do not support such prices and the Plan consequently seeking to maximise affordable housing provision as set out at paragraph 5.45.
As such, sites should be released from the Green Belt adjacent to Mountnessing to serve the needs of Mountnessing and contribute towards the Borough's needs.
One such suitable site is Land Adjacent to Mountnessing Primary School, (site 073 under the Strategic Growth Options Consultation and SHLAA site G093) which could provide short term delivery of much needed private and affordable homes of up to 18 units. Previously promoted by Crest Nicholson under an option agreement, it is now being promoted directly by the Landowner with Sworders acting as Planning Consultants on the Landowner's behalf.
The site is well screened, with defensible boundaries and development on four sides, ensuring minimal visual impact, it would not result in any coalescence with Ingatestone and represents a logical extension to the existing settlement boundary. It does not serve any of the purposes of the Green Belt and no constraints have been identified that would prevent its development for residential use.
The Local Plan evidence base identifies this site as the only suitable residential site at Mountnessing.
As such, Land adjacent to Mountnessing Primary School should be allocated for residential use to serve the needs of Mountnessing and contribute towards the Borough's needs.
Our full case in this regard is set out in response to Policy 5.1 Spatial Strategy.