A PLANNING application for an allotment on a new housing estate is set to go before Harlow Council’s planning committee.

The application is for the erection of 58 sheds and 60 greenhouses on allotment site.

Each shed would have a maximum floorspace of 2.3 sqm, whilst each greenhouse would have a maximum floorspace of 4.5 sqm.

Sheds would have a maximum base area of 6ft (1.83m) by 4ft (1.22m) and would not exceed 8ft (2.44m) at its highest point.

Greenhouses would have a maximum base area of 8ft (2.44m) by 6ft (1.83m) and would not exceed 8ft (2.44m) at its highest point.

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The application is accompanied by a planning supporting statement submitted by the Gilden
Park Residents Association (GPRA) which sets out in more detail the nature of the proposal,
the reasons for the application, the stated benefits and sustainability of the proposal and
what the association perceives as the limited visual and residential impacts of the
development.

There have been a number of objections:

 Proposal will represent overdevelopment of the site.
 Why are so many sheds and greenhouses needed? What justification has been put
forward?
 The existing communal storage containers negate the need for additional structures
at the site.
 Many plotholders have already used their full area to plant on the plots.
 Proposal will have a harmful and impact on the visual amenities of the area and will
reduce the green strip.
 Potential for the site to become cluttered and untidy and to have a shabby
appearance.
 Existence of sheds and greenhouses on the site will encourage vandalism (crime),
particularly in the winter months as they are easily accessible and often unmonitored
and as the site has no source of lighting.
The size of greenhouses may not be large enough for people with accessible needs
 Proposal will devalue property values.
 The site has already turned into a playground with children racing on bikes and on
scooters. Dogs run around.
 Health and safety issue with potential flying debris from sheds and greenhouses
during windy weather.
 No community consultation.

Full details of the planning application can be found on www.harlow.gov.uk

Go to Planning and search for HW/FUL/25/00127

The application is set to be heard at a meeting of the Harlow Council planning committee on Wednesday July 2nd at 7pm in the council chambers.