Here is a summary of the agenda for the Planning Committee meeting on 16 September 2025. The meeting included discussion of a large housing development at Doddinghurst Road, and a tree preservation order at Tomlyns Close. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes from a previous meeting.

Land at Doddinghurst Road

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for land at Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Essex, application number 24/00864/FUL. The application was for the construction of 182 new homes, with access from Doddinghurst Road, associated public open space, landscaping and other infrastructure. The site is identified in the Brentwood Local Plan as strategic housing site R16.

The application site comprises two parcels that sit to the north and south of the A12, west of Doddinghurst Road. The northern parcel is used for horse grazing, whereas the southern parcel is an overgrown woodland with dense vegetation and some grassland. The northern parcel of the R16 site adjoins dwellings along its northern boundary, which have frontage to Bishop's Hall Road, Highgrove, Philip Close and Elizabeth Road. The western side of the site adjoins a public right of way running in a north-south direction. To the east of the site on the eastern side of Doddinghurst Road is the Brentwood Centre, which provides a range of sport and recreational facilities. The southern parcel adjoins dwellings at 59 Doddinghurst Road, Karen Close and Russell Close on its southern boundary and Warescot Road on the western boundary.

The application is for 182 dwellings, which include 64 affordable dwellings and 9 custom build homes. The proposed dwellings provide a mix of housing of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed dwellings and provides 35% of affordable housing and public open space. The dwellings are provided in a mix of 2 and 2.5 storey detached, semi-detached, terrace housing and 3 storey apartment buildings. Access into the site for vehicles is off Doddinghurst Road via a tree-lined street and pedestrian and cycle access is provided off Doddinghurst Road and onto the public right of way to the west of the site.

On-site car parking is provided for 345 vehicles and includes 44 visitor spaces, 10 garages and 291 allocated resident parking spaces.

The proposals for the southern parcel include improving and managing the woodland and provide gravel pedestrian paths with a post and rail fence parallel to the boundary of the A12.

The report pack noted that 97 objections and 3 representations had been received in relation to the application. The main comments are summarised as:

• Traffic: Concerns that Doddinghurst Road and Ongar Road are already busy, and that the addition of houses will increase congestion.
• Air quality/pollution: Concerns that the A12 creates pollution, and that the loss of greenspace will make this worse.
• Principle: Objection to the local plan.
• Noise pollution: Concerns that green fields and open space present a barrier between noisy A12 and Pilgrims Hatch.
• Impact on Wildlife: Loss of habitat for bats and badgers.
• Lack of Infrastructure: The area already has issues with providing school places, dentists, and GP surgeries.
• Drainage and Flood Risk: Building on greenfield could increase flood risk to neighbouring properties.
• Amenity: Loss of natural landscape and loss of view of horses in the fields.
• Alternative sites: Brownfield land available.

The report pack included summaries of consultation responses from:

• Landscape And Ecology
• Essex Badger Protection Group
• Place - Urban Design
• Essex Wildlife Trust
• ECC SUDS[^2] [^2]: Sustainable Drainage Systems
• Police Architectural Liaison Officer
• Environmental Health & Enforcement Manager
• Planning Policy
• National Highways
• Affinity Water
• Anglian Water Services Ltd
• Basildon Fire Station
• Housing Services Manager
• Natural England
• Open Space Strategy Coordinator
• Operational Services Manager (Bins)
• NHS England (East)
• Essex County Council Strategic
• Transport For London
• Environment Agency
• County Archaeologist
• Highway Authority

The report pack stated that the application was recommended for approval subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement¹ and conditions. The Section 106 Heads of Terms include:

• T7 Brentwood Town Centre Public Realm Enhancement £1,102,195
• T8 Brentwood and Shenfield Railway Station Public Realm Improvement £855189
• T10 Quietway Cycle Routes between the site and Brentwood and the local area - £439,187 (index linked to January 2021) to be paid prior to first occupation
• T12 Railway Station Cycle Infrastructure £2,0125 prior to first occupation
• T26 A128 Ingrave Road/ The Avenue / A128 Brentwood Road / Running Waters – Double Mini Roundabout Mitigation - £86,373
• Public Transport for improvements between the site, Brentwood and other destinations in the local area - £470,000 (index linked to April 2024) to be paid prior to first occupation
• Updated Residential Travel Plan Annual monitoring fee from first occupation until 1 year after final occupation - £1,759.29 (index linked to April 2024)
• Early Years and Childcare £248,263 (index linked to Q1 2024)
• Primary Education £827,545 (index linked to Q1 2024)
• Secondary Education £758,779 (index linked to Q1 2024)
• Libraries £14,159.60 (index linked to April 2020)
• NHS Borough Wide Primary Care Capacity Improvements £90,100
• 5% (9) Custom-build homes to be made available as shown on the Custom Build Plan 22.1657.2130 Rev E and actively marketed before 50% occupation of market housing
• 35% affordable housing comprising no less than 80% affordable rent and the remainder shared ownership
• Provision for 3 x M4(3)[^4] dwellings and the remainder M4(2)[^5] [^4]: M4(3) standard for wheelchair accessible dwellings of the Building Regulations 2015. [^5]: M4(2) standard for accessible and adaptable dwellings of the Building Regulations 2015.
• Contribution towards playing pitches £401,239 and indoor sport £193,042
• Monitoring fees for ECC and BBC
• Management and maintenance of open space, LAP, communal areas including unadopted roads and SuDS on site for management company
• Provision of on-site and off-site BNG[^6] [^6]: Biodiversity Net Gain

The report pack also included a list of 38 proposed conditions.

33 Tomlyns Close, Hutton

The committee was scheduled to consider application 25/00746/TPO, for tree works at 33 Tomlyns Close, Hutton. Consent is sought for a crown reduction of 2.5 metres to a blue cedar located in the front garden of the property. The works would maintain a 3 metre crown lift over the driveways and a 4 metre lift over the road. The tree overhangs the road and dominates the front garden. The application was reported to Planning Committee as the applicant is related to a Councillor.

The report pack stated that no neighbour comments had been received.

The report pack stated that the application was recommended to be approved subject to conditions relating to good practice and the validity of the consent.