PLANS for 32 flats in the middle of an industrial estate have been thrown out by Harlow Council’s planning committee.

The location of the proposal was Greenway House on Parkway, off Elizabeth Way in Harlow.

There is already a permitted development on the site, where a number of families live.

This application proposed to build the new flats in a car park.

One of the main objections was made by the chair of the committee, cllr Phil Waite. Cllr Waite pointed to the large warehouse opposite the development from where hundreds of lorries travel in and out each day.

Councillors also questioned the lack of amenities in the area from a skeleton bus service to the hearest school being a three mile round trip.

The agent for the applicant, Roy Holt, promoted the development in terms of being attractive to employees at the new Public Health England (PHE) or doctors at nearby “Queen Elizabeth Hospital” (sic).

All councillors voted against the application.

However, this would not prevent the applicant for going to the courts and placing an appeal. Should they win, the council may face a hefty bill running to tens of thousands (see Wych Elm for details).

You can follow the item from the 44th minute of the film below.

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Comments

Tenpin

As stated at this meeting, had Harlow Council put in place what is known as an Article 4 Direction back in 2014 as many councils did, they would not have found themselves in the predicament they now find themselves in. It is quite clear to everyone other than the Planning Inspector who allowed subject to some concerns that building could take place, that building homes on an industrial estate is no good for anyone other than the developers who will make a financial killing.

By the end of this week a Local Plan will have been adopted by Harlow Council. This sets out quite clearly where homes can be built and if 4 years hard work by Council staff to get this Plan finalised means anything in practice, then the proposed development must not be allowed to proceed.