Officers presented application 23/00642/CV: Land adjacent Fen Farm, Judds Farm, and part of Bulphan Fen, Harrow Lane, Bulphan, Essex.  This application was submitted pursuant to s73 of the 1990 Act and seeks to vary conditions 6 (Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)) and 9 (HGV movements).

The new CTMP seeks delivery times between 08:00 and 18:00 hours but seeking to avoid school drop off and pick at times. The applicant proposed an increase in HGV movements and stated its required for the completion of the construction programme. Currently the total agreed HGV numbers consist of 2,040 two-way movements. The proposal seeks an increase to 5,200 two-way HGV movements. The daily HGV movements presently would not exceed 22 two-way movements per day (11 in and 11 out movements). The proposal is for this to be increased to 50 two-way movements per day (25 in and 25 out movements).

Officers advised the recommendation is to refuse the proposal, as the roads would have an unacceptably high level of HGV through the village of Bulphan. This would be to the severe detriment of highway safety and the amenities of residents and visitors to the village. The proposed increased hours of accessing the site are considered unnecessarily complicated and unworkable.

·       Speaker statements were heard from Ward member Councillor Johnson rejecting the proposal.

·       Speaker statements were heard in support of the proposal from the agent Avneesh Bains.

Steve Taylor questioned why the original application approved the routes as it appears to be very disruptive for residents and not fit for purpose. The planning officers were advised that neither route was ideal however they felt it was better for HGV access to be nearer a classified road.

The Highways Officer added that alternative routes were discussed with the original applicant including considerations around travelling via a one-way system. At that stage the number of movements were low it went to committee, and it was debated. The current applicant has requested a significant increase in HGV’s. Despite the lack of evidence on current movements. Efforts have been made prior to the committee meeting to seek evidence of the current movements of HGV’s and track the progress, it has taken months to receive any official documents relating to this. Instead, they received a handwritten log which contains all vehicle movements.

The Chair questioned how far along they were into the project. They were advised that most of the work has been completed, however there is still work outstanding including work on battery storage and landscaping. They have provided a timeframe of mid-May to August 2024 for completion. Councillors questioned whether this was based on the current HGV’s movements or with the increase that has been proposed. Officers advised that this was not clear from the application, and this was not confirmed by the applicant.

Steve Taylor commented that he was concerned about due diligence (or lack of) prior to the application. As a result, this may be at the expense to the council and its very disruptive to the residents.  Advising he strongly opposes this proposal.

Committee Members unanimously voted to follow the recommendations from officers to refuse the proposal.

REJECTED: Application 23/00642/CV: Land adjacent Fen Farm, Judds Farm, and part of Bulphan Fen, Harrow Lane, Bulphan, Essex.