Current Planning Developments – April 2025

1.      New Application  - Gladman Developments  - Braintree Planning Ref. 25/00271/OUT,  for 350 Dwellings to the east of the B1018.

You may have seen our article in the April Community Magazine regarding the re-submission by Gladman Developments of their 2019 Application. The 2019 Application stalled as it was opposed by National Highways in the absence of further traffic information they had requested. 

Gladman eventually appealed the 2019 Application on grounds that the Council had failed to make a decision either to accept or refuse the Application in reasonable time.

The Planning Inspectorate then ruled Gladman’s Appeal as being out of time, hence Gladman now putting forward a new Application to Braintree District Council Ref.  25/00271/OUT.  It is an Outline Application at this stage solely for approval of site access points.  However do visit the Council’s Planning website using the ref. shown above, where you will be able to see full details including an illustration of the likely layout of the 350 dwellings and other site features that would be the subject of a separate “Reserved Matters” application once access has been approved. 

Gladman Developments is owned by national housebuilder Barratt Redrow which is one of the largest UK housebuilders.  It probably re-submitted its 2019 Application at this time to try to pre-empt the results of the Council’s ongoing Local Plan review to 2041 which is expected to be implemented at the end of 2026 and may re-define strategic development plans that currently do not include Cressing.

Gladman Developments propose a new roundabout opposite Jeffreys Road as the main entrance to the site, plus a second uncontrolled vehicular and pedestrian T junction access opposite the B1018 slip road by the primary school.  Additionally they propose two traffic light controlled pedestrian access points to cross the B1018, one opposite the primary school, and one nearer to the soon to be constructed roundabout which will replace the notorious Cressing bends.   Should the proposals for access be approved, to get to the A120 and Galley’s roundabout from the Mill Lane junction at Hawbush Green on the B1080, will involve negotiating two sets of pedestrian controlled traffic lights and 4 roundabouts namely the Paddocks, the new one at Jefferys Road, the new one at Cressing bends (for the Persimmon development),  the Millenium Way (for access to the shopping/retail Braintree Village and Braintree beyond) before finally, the fourth and most congested, Galley’s. 

The whole project would cause much more traffic congestion on both the B1018 and A120.  The project offers no improvements to the existing medical, education, sewage and water  infrastructure, other than a possible new early years pre-school (the ground for which may be provided by the developer).

Our view is that the Application if approved would seriously adversely affect so many, not just residents of Cressing Parish, and we strongly encourage residents to lodge objections on the Council website ref. 25/00271/OUT. The website shows a closing date for Neighbour Consultation 16 April 2025 but this is unlikely to be enforced.   However, we would encourage residents to register their objections as soon as possible. 

If you did object when Gladman submitted their 2019 Application, do be aware that this is a new Application and comments made then will not be carried forward.

Gladman show contempt for the new Tye Green residents in the Avondale and The Paddocks developments who were not here in 2018/19.  In their Community Involvement document Gladman say “Given that public consultation was completed and comments responded to prior to the submission of the first application …… it is considered that the statutory public consultation process that will be undertaken by the Local Authority  …… will provide an appropriate opportunity for interested parties to make representations in respect of the current scheme.  The responses and findings of the original public consultation remain valid and relevant for this application.” The current publication of Gadman’s Application 25/00271/OUT on the Council’s Planning website is the main part of the Local Authority’s “statutory consultation process” referred to.  

Whether you are an longstanding or new resident in Cressing Parish, this process is your only chance to let the Council hear your views.   If no adverse comments to Gladman’s proposal are received by Braintree Council, it has to assume that residents are happy to have this new 350 dwelling development.

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Other matters

2.  The EDF Solar Farm to the east of Ashes Road/Long Green was given approval at the Planning Committee Meeting on 18 February.  Several Councillors expressed concern at the loss of more agricultural land, but felt that there was no point in opposing the project as it would be lost at Appeal.  There is overwhelming support nationally for projects that will help to reduce our carbon footprint.

3.   The Appeal date for Scott Developments 78 Bungalows development to the west of Mill Lane has been set, 23 April 2025, and will be contested by Braintree Council.  Scott’s case puts great emphasis on their claim that the Council cannot demonstrate that it has a 5 year housing supply and that there should therefore be an automatic  presumption that the project is a sustainable development and therefore be approved.  The Council has asserted, and demonstrated with detailed schedules, that it has more than a 5 year’s supply.  Scott’s representatives have put forward equally detailed schedules to show that the assumptions made by the Council are defective. Resolution of the claims of the opposing parties will be a large part of the decision that the Government Inspector will make at the Appeal Hearing.

Should the Inspector find that the Council does indeed have a 5 year housing supply plus a 5% buffer, the next considerations for the Inspector are:

A)  How does the Application fit with the Council’s existing development policy if there is no automatic assumption of sustainability?  The Council’s decision to refuse Scott Developments Planning Permission back in July 2023 put very strongly the case that there are clear breaches of that policy.

B)  What bearing has the new National Planning Policy Framework introduced in December 2024 have on the Council’s case?  That framework re-introduced new housing targets led by the Minister asserting that the Government will build 1.5 million new homes during the term of the current parliamentary term.

If Scott’s Appeal succeeds, it will open the door not only further speculative developments to the west of Tye Green, but also to several other projects that landowners and developers would like to push through the possible 5 year Housing Development Plan loophole that is being tested in this Appeal.   

Should the Appeal succeed, this could seriously reduce the agricultural surrounds of Cressing and particularly reduce the recreational facilities that residents of Cressing Parish have had for many years. 

Cressing Action Group has registered its opposition to Scott’s Appeal and intends to attend the Hearing.  We will report back once the Inspector has decided the case.

 12 April 2025

April 2025 update

Cressing Residents are again under Threat from Speculative Housing Developers and Landowners seeking to cash in on their land assets.

Firstly on 23 April a government appointed Planning Inspector will hold an Appeal hearing brought by M Scott Developments Ltd against Braintree Council’s refusal in July 2024 to grant Planning Permission for a new 78 bungalow estate.  This would be on the field behind the Mill Lane hedge between Bulford Mill Lane and the cross field footpath entrance almost opposite Jeffreys Road.

The Council refused permission in July 2024 stating the development was unacceptable “as a matter of principle”. 

1.  The site falls outside of the Tye Green settlement development boundary

2.  The proposal is not a use appropriate to the countryside

3.  The development would urbanise “an area that currently constitutes part of the     rural setting of the village”.

4.  The Council’s Development Plan looks for mixed developments to meet identified housing needs. The Council’s Development Plan states specifically that “specialist housing sites in the countryside will not be supported.”    

Cressing Action Group has sent the Appeals Inspectorate a report supporting Braintree Council’s decision to refuse Planning Permission.  Scott Developments’ Appeal documents extend to several hundred pages but essentially what we feel they are trying to do is to exploit a Planning “loophole” which relies on a disputed demonstration of a lack of a 5 year supply of housing land at the time when Scott’s Application was submitted to Planning in October 2023. 

Many residents, particularly dog walkers, regularly use the field where development is proposed.  It has been “set aside” land not actively cultivated for many years.  There is one official footpath but also several unofficial ones.  We would be very reluctant to lose this facility to any development, whether or not it is a new specialist bungalow housing estate, and would encourage all who have not yet used the facility to do so. Springtime probably sees the hedgerows looking at their best!

Secondly, Gladman Developments proposed a 350 dwelling new housing estate bordering the East side of the B1018 in 2019.  National Highways were concerned that it would impact the traffic delay problems at the Galley’s Corner A120 roundabout and sought more detailed information from Gladman which was not forthcoming.  We hoped the project had been shelved but no, a new Application was submitted in March 2025. 

Substantially the same as the 2019 Application, at this stage it is for access only for 350 dwellings.  Gladman is a national specialist in getting Planning Permissions, particularly for speculative housing developments on areas of agricultural land that do not form part of Local Authorities’ Development Plans.  The firm is owned by national housebuilder Barratt Developments.   

Cressing Action Group will oppose their Application.  It is the largest site yet proposed in Cressing Parish and coupled with other developments over the past 5 years, the effects on roads, medical services, schools and other essential infrastructure would be very significant.  Developers like Gladman, Scott, Persimmon, Countryside/Vistry, and Inland Homes do not provide infrastructure support beyond the bare minimum they are obliged to make, and we have already seen how inadequate it is.  So far as roads are concerned, add in the additional heavy lorry road traffic that will follow when Indaver’s Rivenhall Waste Incinerator Site begins operation later this year, and the potential for gridlock looks far worse than we already see.

Do join us by contacting our Secretary, Penny Pilbrow, at cressingactiongroup@aol.com      

Latest update March 2025:

The original application/appeal from 2019 has been withdrawn and superceded by a new submission under the following details:

Land Off Braintree Road Tye Green Cressing Essex CM77 8JB

Ref. No: 25/00271/OUT | Validated: Mon 10 Mar 2025 | Status: Pending Consideration

Outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access for the demolition of all buildings and structures, and erection of up to 350 dwellings (including affordable housing), with public open space (including childrens play areas), landscaping and sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and land for an early years/nursery facility and associated infrastructure. (This application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement)

The application by Gladmans - now owned by Barratt Developments, for 350 houses on land east of Braintree Road has been taken to appeal on the grounds of non determination by BDC. The original planning application is:

19/01968/OUT

Outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access for the demolition of all buildings and structures, and for the erection of 350 dwellings (including 40% affordable housing), with public open space (including children's play areas), landscaping and sustainable drainage system (SuDS). Vehicle access to be taken off Braintree Road.

Land Off Braintree Road Tye Green Cressing Essex CM77 8JB

The appeal number that was lodged in June this year is: 

Land Off Braintree Road Tye Green Cressing Essex CM77 8JB

Ref. No: 24/00045/NONDET | Received: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Appeal Lodged

There is no documentation or dates listed there yet but don't know if this is accurate.

The site in question can be seen on the map below annotated 'Gladmans 350'

Update November 2023

The new application for Scott Properties in Mill Lane Cressing Tye Green is now on line at BDC 

Update February2022

Rainier Developments - 35 houses to the East of Braintree road application

There are further documents available relating to this site showing changes to the Masterplan and road access details. This gives a further opportunity to make comments on this application if you choose to do so before the 12th February.

Highways are now saying that the access and the extra traffic it will generate is acceptable. 

Education are asking for payment but also stating that their are now primary, seconary or early years spaces available.

NHS has yet to comment.

Documents available to view here:

 https://publicaccess.braintree.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=R0NZ62BFGIK00