UTT/26/0365/SO – Land north and south of The Broadway, Great Dunmow
Request for Scoping Opinion for development of up to 900 dwellings, land for a primary school, a local centre including a mobility hub, coworking space and community uses,
and public open space, including suitable alternative natural green space (SANG) and sports pitches.
At the February meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee, members considered the scoping opinion and agreed that they would encourage residents to make suggestions for consideration for inclusion in the Town Council response to the Request for Scoping Opinion.
The Town Clerk said that the Request for Scoping Opinion was not a planning application but a request from the developer, asking the Local Planning Authority what environmental topics must be covered in a future environmental statement.
She confirmed that a response from the Town Council was not about supporting or objecting to the proposal but could be strategically valuable and could influence:
- What environmental impacts must be assessed?
- What baseline data should be gathered?
- What alternatives should be considered?
- What local sensitivities must be included?
Members discussed the following concerns relating to the proposed development:
- The traffic assessment had been undertaken during covid in 2022/2023 and needs updating to accurately reflect the current situation
- Pinch points include the bridge over the Chelmer, the s-bends, St Mary’s Church, the junction at the top of Lime Tree Hill and restrictions caused by on street parking on St Edmunds Lane
- Councillor Lavelle requested that the Town Council commission a traffic survey to consider traffic management during and post construction
- The number of historic pill boxes within the development area require protection
- The development area is very prone to flooding and is of overall strategic importance in the flow rates within the Chelmer Valley and the routing of the River Chelmer
- The increased flow of water into the River Chelmer caused by the proposed development and the ongoing effect and impact on the onward flow and the need for adequate flood risk assessment, particularly given the stated increase in non-permeable land following construction and also taking climate change into account
- The need for an otter support plan alongside other appropriate water-related assessment and protection measures
- The need for additional doctor surgeries and the two surgeries in the town are already full, noting that Public Health England have not recently been supportive of new provision
- The need for additional secondary school provision
- The need for joined up consideration of already approved development on St Edmunds Lane (90 dwellings), Woodlands Park (500), Land west of Woodside Way (1000), land south of Stortford Road (440)
Residents are encouraged to make suggestions for inclusion in the Town Council’s response by sending an email to the Town Clerk.