PLANS for affordable housing in Old Harlow are set to go before the Harlow Council planning committee.

The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 38 dwellings with associated works including access, parking and cycle infrastructure, landscaping, public art and public open spaces at land to the south of Moor Hall Road.

The proposals seek to bring forward a small and physically self-contained part of the allocation at Land East of Harlow, which has been allocated since the Local Plan was adopted in 2020 but has not been delivered to date.

The application states: “The scheme will provide market and affordable dwellings which will assist Harlow Council with the much needed delivery of affordable housing across the area. It will include ten homes for affordable rent, two for shared ownership and three First Homes; provision of informal and formal open space including children’s play space; pedestrian / cycle connections to the south via Elmridge; provision of visitor car parking; and enhanced landscaping which builds on existing key features.

The scheme is compliant with national and local planning requirements. Dwelling sizes meet the Nationally Described Space Standards and the requirements of Approved Document Part M(4)2 as a minimum, and are at least dual aspect to allow for good daylight and natural ventilation.

The scheme will also provide a substantial financial contribution towards the delivery of infrastructure within the wider masterplan area.

The benefits of the scheme outweigh any harm and the application is therefore recommended for approval.

Application Site and Surroundings

The site is a rectangular parcel of open grassland measuring approximately 1.795 ha in area, situated south of Moor Hall Road and approximately three miles northeast of Harlow town centre. The site is predominantly flat and featureless, though bounded to the north, east, and south by dense treelines and hedgerow.

The site abuts the rear gardens of existing dwellinghouses to the west, a private road off Elmbridge to the southwest, agricultural fields to the southeast and east, and across Moor Hall Road, further grassland to the north.

The site has no previous planning history and retains a current use for agricultural purposes.

An existing and formal access to the site is positioned to the northwest off Moor Hall Road, via a gate, and at present this is used intermittently by agricultural vehicles.

A public footpath (no. 17) runs along the southern boundary of the site, providing access to residential areas of east Harlow, linking to open spaces, local services, and educational facilities including Churchgate CoE Primary School to the southwest.

“A Grade II Listed Building, High House, is located a short distance to the west of the site, though the site is neither within nor adjacent to a Conservation Area. There are two other listed buildings within close proximity of the site; Tudor Cottage and Pump 20 Metres South of Mayfield Farmhouse. Within the dense treeline along the site’s northern boundary is a cluster of Protected Trees”.

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Objections

0. Summary of Representations ReceivedThe full comments can be found on the public access system. Material planning matters:
   •   Development will increase traffic and the road infrastructure is not suitable, with specific reference to the Gilden Way roundabout.
   •   Existing flooding in the local area which causes issues and will not be improved.
   •   Loss of wildlife
   •   Will be overlooked by new houses resulting in loss of privacy
   •   Including yellow lines on Moor Hall Road is not practical as local residents do not have any alternative parking options.
   •   Development does not provide adequate parking.
   •   Design of the new homes does not fit with the character and appearance of theChurchgate area. In particular, the high-pitched roofs are overbearing andunnecessary.
   •   Development will have an environmental impact.Non material planning matters:
   •  Do not want the houses.

The application is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday December 6th at Harlow Council.

More details below.

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/documents/s24780/22-00547%20Moor%20Hall%20Road.pdf