Page 36 - Archive in reverse date order

www.northcrayresidents.org.uk

TO: Mrs Susan Clark, Head of Development Control

FROM: Jean Gammons, Secretary

Copied to: Mrs Helen Acton and Ms Sue King DATE: April 2016

Ref 16/00348/FUL Development of garden land behind 22-28 St James Way &
demolition of 20 James Way in order to create a cul-de-sac and a new access road

Dear Mrs Clark

This is to ask you to register our very strong Objection to the above planning application,
which is the fourth attempt to develop garden land at the rear of 22 St James Way for houses.

Precedents for refusal The previous three attempts were in 1967, 1973 and 1984. We copy
below the strong views of previous Chief Planning Officers in defence of this garden land:-

“The formation of a new cul de sac and the erection of seven dwellings, if permitted, on
the...area of backland...would deprive the adjoining residents of amenities and privacy which
they might reasonably expect to enjoy” [1967]

“Access is unacceptable and the passage of vehicles...would be a considerable nuisance to
adjacent residents...bungalow would be on rising ground...loss of privacy...Risk to Cedar tree
(root damage)...and the proposal would be out of character with the neighbourhood and
would introduce a disturbing activity at the rear...” These comments were summarised as
(1) A form of undesirable backland development...detrimental to the amenities of adjoining
properties and (2) Development would be out of character with the existing development in
the vicinity, dominating and overlooking properties in St James Way” [1973]

“This piece of land...backland area between St James Way and The Grove...remains quite
unsuitable for a building project of any kind, flanked as it is at each end by two very ancient
and giant Lebanon Cedar Trees...their branches span a wide area of the plot...inevitably the
roots of the trees will be subject to damage when foundations are being excavated for the
building and the access road...it is a garden area and must remain so even if it is allowed to
go back to nature” [1985]

The planning applications of 1973 and 1984 were for nothing more than a single-storey
dwelling with an access drive from St James Way. The current application is for five large
houses, garages and a new road running the length of this backland site, one also taking in
garden land behind 28 St James Way.

The planning applications of 1973 and 1984 went to Appeal, and both were dismissed by the
Inspectorate in the following terms: “The Local Planning Authority maintains that the Appeal