PLANS for nine homes on a former greyhound kennel site in Horndon on the Hill have been refused after a debate in which councillors divided over green belt policy, housing need and the role of small developers reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Thurrock Council’s planning committee voted by four to three to reject the application from Pyrmont Homes Ltd, which sought permission to demolish the long established Brooklyn Kennels on Black Bush Lane and replace it with nine detached houses.
The site, classified as grey belt under the 2024 national planning framework, drew strong views from both supporters and objectors, with eight letters of objection and nine in support.
Barry Johnson, Conservative councillor for Orsett, told colleagues the split showed the issue was “not one sided” and urged members to consider whether the proposal represented an acceptable compromise at a time of acute housing need.
He emphasised that the land was previously developed and argued the low density scheme would have less traffic impact than the former commercial kennels.
However, he acknowledged the scheme did not provide affordable housing, though he noted national policy normally applies that requirement only to developments of ten homes or more.
He added: “This site could probably hold 30 to 35 houses, so I dread to think what could happen if this site isn’t given proper consideration.”
Applicant Adam Becford, of Pyrmont Homes, said the land had been mischaracterised. “This is not open countryside,” he said.
“It is a fully enclosed, long established commercial kennel site. We are simply replacing that with nine well designed homes.”
He highlighted that highways, drainage, flood and ecology consultees had raised no objections and said the scheme would include more than 100 new trees, habitat improvements and renewable energy measures.
But others insisted the location was fundamentally unsuitable. Cathy Sisterson, Labour councillor for Aveley and Uplands, said the site was so car dependent that “you wouldn’t want to live there as a family if you just can’t get out if you don’t drive,” warning that approving such schemes would set a “dangerous precedent”.
Conservative councillor Tom Kelly said the proposal was comparatively appropriate for a rural area and expressed concern that smaller builders were being “pushed out” by larger firms.
However, members sided with officers, who concluded the scheme was unsustainable, overly urban in form and harmful to the green belt.
