brentwood.gov.uk

I strongly object to the Strategic Growth Option Consultation Site References, as listed above:

Site Ref 011a

Hulletts Farm is a formally classified Grade 11 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 surrounding gardens, paddocks and attractive louvered brick & slate roofed farm buildings provide an important contribution to the setting and status of this 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.

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.

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. Any modern development being made within feet of the Farmhouse would irrevocably ruin its presence and historical value.

Your Planning Enforcement Officer, Mr Dean Baker, has himself confirmed, once alerted, that the slate roofs on the listed farm buildings were in serious dis-repair and after investigation requested that they be repaired/replaced to avoid any further deterioration of the buildings. This measure on its own confirms that the buildings are listed as otherwise he wouldn't have had the authority to enforce the required repairs.


Site Ref -11b

This site is a triangular field abutting the A128 Ongar Road. It has only been in the ownership of the current owners of Hulletts Farm for some 6-7 years and is constantly overgrown and waterlogged, as much of it is below road level. Below the undergrowth there is a pond at the northern end which I believe has a natural spring to it. This land is not suitable to be built on in any way or form and should be left alone.


Site Ref 011c

This site is Green Belt. These fields adjacent to Orchard Lane/Ash Close/Vale Close are landlocked and therefore inaccessible. I believe that there was an unsuccessfully attempt in 2009/10 to get planning permission - it was refused as "Not suitable - it is considered that any development would result in an unacceptable extension of Pilgrims Hatch into the countryside". The other part of this site runs down parallel to Hulletts Lane which is a Byway/Bridleway, behind the cottages down to Vine Cottages, which would be unacceptable to all local properties - this land is definitely Green Belt and therefore unsuitable to be build on.




To summarise, the impact of any development to this area would seriously diminish the amenity of many local properties in this picturesque setting of Pilgrims Hatch. Many local residents, hikers, dog walkers, horse riders and scout groups (which use this area regularly) would lose this much cherished recreational facility. Access to/from the site would be extremely difficult from A128 Ongar Road, as visibility is very poor in both directions. There would also be the loss of the byway/bridleway which makes up part of Hulletts Lane

Finally, the Council maps for sites 011a & 011c do not show the Listed property Hulletts Farm or any of its curtilage buildings - I therefore suggest that the whole site be removed as incorrectly prepared.

I look forward to receiving your confirmation that my objections have been received and logged in.