SOME 90 homes are to be built on green belt land amid concerns from councillors that a refusal could lead to a costly appeal process reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Land west of Park Lane in Aveley will be developed by M Scott Properties following the approval by Thurrock Council.
Earlier this month, the Planning Inspectorate upheld an appeal over 1,000 new homes on green belt land at East Tilbury in the district. The Labour-controlled council spent £87,000 unsuccessfully defending its refusal.
“Green belt is a good substantive reason to refuse, [but] it’s become clear over the last few weeks that if we continue to reject these they are just going to be lost on appeal,” said councillor Tom Kelly.
“It’s a lot of money and that’s tax payers’ money and we have to justify that cost.”
The local authority deferred its decision in October in order to assess the implications of refusing the plans, which would have gone against the council officers’ recommendation.
Councillors were concerned about “substantial harm” to the green belt and further pressure on schools and healthcare, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
At planning committee, councillors agreed the scheme should be approved after hearing their reasons for refusal would not be successful at appeal.
Mr Kelly said councillors had previously been warned off approving development on green belt.
“For me as a councillor, it’s getting very difficult and confusing to sum up these applications.
“Not much has changed in the National Planning Policy Framework.
“The only thing that’s changed is attitude towards schemes in the green belt so it’s incredibly difficult to try to get your head around.”
Labour councillor Steve Liddiard said he supported the approval for more housing.
“The deciding factor for me was that we haven’t even got a year’s supply of housing and the homeless situation in Thurrock is appalling at the moment,” he added.
With all these new houses being built, will there be a doctors Dentist , school etc built to support all the people moving into these properties. We are over stretched already to provide these services. There are not enough for the people who already live here. Green belt means nothing anymore. It used to be there to support environmental issues, clean our air, support nature , give people a place to be out in the open. Why not use empty building that are just left to decay, all the pubs that have closed and standing empty. Use these areas first , no take up more valuable land. We are a tiny island sinking under thousands of illegal immigrants. We cannot keep on taking more and more green belt land away from our future generations.