Planning applications

Minx Bar, High Road – see Police

Cakes & Shakes 246b High Road and Candy Cafe put in applications for a change of use from retail to retail and cafe. The LRA Plans Group have opposed these as they would be breaches of the Local Plan. On February 3rd the District Council Plans South Committee approved the application from Candy Cafe because they felt that it was largely a retail outlet, and that it made a significant contribution to the vitality of the High Road; they turned down the application from Cakes & Shakes (which we expect to go to appeal).
For details see the agenda papers

Beechlands, 42 Alderton Hill – Appeal against a non-determination of the renewal of outline planning permission for the erection of a private dwelling house for the proprietor of 'Beechlands'. An informal hearing will be held.
The proprietor surprisingly obtained outline permission (on appeal) to build a house in the garden of number 42. He has put forward several applications which have been turned down by the Council and on appeal, and which the LRA Plans Group considered to be far too large for the position. The Government recently changed the rules to allow planning permissions to be renewed more easily, because of the economic situation, but the Council failed to make a decision on renewing permission within the timescale laid down. We think that it would be a misuse of these powers to renew in this case, as the proprietor has brought the problem on himself, and we will be objecting to the appeal.

Trees at the rear of Zizzi’s (just north of the War Memorial) have been felled. It appears that the District Council gives no public warning of such applications in a Conservation Area, and we are trying to get this changed.

299 High Road: the District Council has turned down an application for a change of use from retail to financial & professional. The LRA Plans Group objected to the application; the Local Plan specifies not more than 30% non-retail frontage in the “Key Retail Frontage”, and on the latest District Council figures we have, the proportion is already over 31%.

11 The Crescent: the District Council has approved an application to use an existing outbuilding as a bedroom annexe, subject to a condition that this does not constitute a change of use from being a single dwelling house.

9 Fairmeadside. The Council arboriculturalist has agreed that a protected pine tree falls within the “dead, dying, dangerous” category and can therefore be felled.

Planning Committee meeting 13/01/10: among the cases on the agenda were

Loughton Sports Centre, Rectory Lane: demolish and build an 85-bed care home, with parking and garden (nearby Loughton Hall already has planning permission for conversion into a care home). The LRA Plans Group is concerned about the loss of a sports facility and the inadequate parking provision. We agree with Loughton Town Council that, if the application is granted, around £500,000 be sought from the developer, and used towards the health and sports infrastructure in order to replenish the benefit to the town that would have been lost. Council officer recommendation: to refuse.

The application was withdrawn by the applicant – we expect a similar application in due course, but for a building more in keeping with its surroundings.

1 Alderton Mews: fell pine tree and replace: approved.
10 Monkchester Close – fell oak tree: approved.

For details see the agenda papers and minutes

Former Woolworths, High Road
A branch of Robert Dyas will be opening here.

Green Belts: more than lines on a map

Green Belts: a Greener Future - a joint report produced by Natural England and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) – is the first major survey of the environmental state of Green Belt land and the benefits it provides for people and wildlife. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/news/2010/280110.aspx

To see the details of a current or earlier planning application, go to the District Council website