COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision on plans for 121 homes next to a Stanford-le-Hope school, overturning officers’ recommendation to approve the scheme reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Thurrock Council’s planning committee debated the proposal for land south of St Clere’s School and east of Butts Lane yesterday, with members raising concerns over the loss of playing field and access arrangements.
The scheme, which had been recommended for approval, would have delivered 121 homes of two-and-a-half to three storeys and was brought back to committee after being deferred earlier this year.
That deferral followed an objection from Sport England over plans to use part of the school’s playing field as an access road — an issue which remained unresolved.
Councillors argued the proposals failed to adequately protect the existing sports provision.
Ultimately, the the committee deferred their decision so they can get more information about the loss of playing fields and possible access issues
Councillor Jack Fuller, who moved a new recommendation alongside Peggy Davies, said the scheme did not go far enough to address those objections and called for it to be rejected until planning policy requirements were satisfied.
He referred to national planning guidance, which states development on playing fields should only be permitted where adequate replacement or alternative provision is secured.
Sport England maintained its objection, warning the proposal failed to properly consider local demand for sports facilities or involve sufficient consultation.
The committee also raised concerns about the layout of the development.
Questions were asked about the removal of temporary buildings on the site from updated plans, while members debated whether a single point of access was sufficient.
Committee chairman Russell Cherry suggested the layout could provide a safer environment, but Ms Davies disagreed, arguing the lack of a secondary access route posed a potential risk in emergencies.
She said: “There should at least be an emergency exit route for people, for example if there was a fire there should be more than one way in and one way out.”
Highways officers had not objected to the junction arrangements, although they noted issues around the internal road and cycle layout which would need further consideration at a later stage.
The proposals had also drawn objection from former ward councillor Neil Speight, who warned the development would add further pressure to local infrastructure without delivering significant improvements.
He said: “There is no significant addition to local infrastructure – however it’s creation as a housing estate will add to the current degradation of local services.
“The site is currently designated as green belt and its loss would be another step towards what is often described as urban sprawl , though I recognise planning officers have difficulty in recognising that term.”
The site is currently designated as green belt and sits alongside the school, which is itself due to undergo a major rebuilding programme linked to concerns over reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
That separate project is expected to come forward later this year, raising further questions about the cumulative impact of development in the area.
In the end, councillors voted in favour of deferring the decision and a future meeting could see the plan either approved or refused.
