MM7

The respondent generally supports this modification, however it is considered that it needs to be more prescriptive. The modification proposed states:
"One access/egress point on to Star Lane to serve these developments should be carefully considered at the planning application stage to avoid a prolification of access/egress roads along Star Lane".
The Council is currently at the "planning application stage" with respect to the first of the Great Wakering housing allocations to come forward. A planning application has been submitted for the southern section of allocation BFR1 on the former Brickworks site. As such, the Council is presently in a position to give "careful consideration" to the access /egress onto Star lane and ensure delivery of at least one of the required access points to site SER 9b, as required by the draft policy of the Plan.
The planning application layout submitted for the former Brickworks acknowledges the requirements of the plan policy text, as it provides an access road as prescribed, appropriately positioned as required, namely "to the north east corner of the southern section (former brickworks)"
It is evident by the submitted planning application that the southern section of BFR1 is to be delivered before the northern section. As such the applicant for the brickworks site has proposed what would appear to be a policy compliant layout with regard to access/egress onto Star Lane. However, the access road proposed does not appear on the submitted application plan to connect to the site's common boundary with site SER 9b. The applicant's application submission is silent on the applicant's intention to provide unfettered access to SER 9b. The submitted plans illustrate a small planted strip between the end of the proposed carriageway and the common site boundary with SER 9b.
The respondent is concerned that this strip is likely to become a ransom strip, which may jeopardise the delivery of SER 9b and as a result, the proper planning of the area. The Council is now in a position to ensure unfettered access is provided to SER 9b through the grant of planning permission. This has already been highlighted to the council through representations made in respect of the brickworks application. The modification proposed should therefore be amended to state that;-
"Unfettered access/egress to site SER 9b shall be provided as part of the development of the southern section of BFR 1 to ensure the proper delivery of the allocations as proposed".