Object
Local Plan 2015-2030 Preferred Options for Consultation
Representation ID: 1792
Received: 02/10/2013
Respondent: Mr Peter Baldock
1. Hulletts Farm is classified Grade II listed property. This is not stated in Council's SHLAA.
2. Site is not a "brownfield" site.
Any development would go against NPPF guidelines.
3. Impact of any development would seriously diminish the amenity of many local properties and its picturesque setting.
4. Lawful use for this land is agricultural, therefore its excluded from NPPF definition "previously developed land."
5. Any modern development within close proximity would ruin its presence and historical value.
I strongly object to the draft local development plan in Orchard Lane, Pilgrims Hatch (site 11 - policies DM23 & Appendix 2) as I consider:
1. Hulletts Farm is a formally classified Grade II listed property. Nowhere in Brentwood Borough Council's SHLAA does it acknowledge or state this. The surrounding land & buildings in its "curtilage" are also deemed to be Listed. These surroundings gardens, paddocks and attractive louvered brick & slate roofed farm buildings provide an important contribution to the setting and status of the 16th century building. Any 21st century development demolishing these buildings and paddock, which stands just a few feet away from this medieval farmhouse, would directly go against National Planning Policy Framework guidelines.
2. The site is definitely not a "brownfield" site as Hulletts Farm makes a significant contribution to the character and history of Pilgrims Hatch, along with neighbouring Gents Farm, further down Hulletts Lane.
3. The farm land & buildings were used for livestock farming until 2001, so their lawful use remains agricultural and is specifically excluded from the definition of "previously developed land" in NPPF page 55, along with private residential gardens.
4. The original sale of land by the previous owner to build houses in Orchard Lane (prior to the Lee family moving in the late 1950's), obviously adhered to and abided by the criteria set down by Brentwood Council & English Heritage with regards to proximity of buildings. Any modern development being made within feet of the Farmhouse would irrevocably ruin its presence and historical value.
5. Access to/from the site would be extremely difficult from A128 Ongar Road, as visibility is very poor from the Ongar direction.
6. I have seen Bats in the vicinity of the farm buildings which need to be protected.
7. The impact of any development to this site would seriously diminish the amenity of many local properties in this picturesque setting of Hulletts Lane.
With all this in mind, please reject this preferred option immediately.