Outline planning permission has been granted by Braintree District Council for 1,000 new homes on land to the east of Broad Road, north of Braintree in Essex.
The proposal by developer Gallagher Estates includes the provision of a new primary school and early years facilities, a new community space and a small business centre with space for retailers, cafes and restaurants.
Concerns had been raised regarding the access road and the additional vehicle movements creating gridlock in Braintree town centre. However, Local Councillors stated they had little choice but to approve the plans during the Planning Committee Meeting because there had been no from Essex Highways.
The proposal will also involve the creation a new roundabout along the A131 to provide a second access to the development. However, construction traffic will use the road created off Broad Road until the 100th dwelling has been built and occupied.
Planning Officers revealed during the Planning Committee Meeting that significant widening would be carried out along the A131 between Marks Farm and Broad Road roundabouts to cater for the new development, with Martin Mason saying improvements would be “far bigger than anything” seen before.
Planning boss Gabrielle Spray said she was hopeful improvements to the A131 would make a “significant difference” but this was met with discontent from the public gallery.
She said “Without doubt the issue of most concern to residents are the highways matters“. She added that “There are no objections from county highways. It is not just difficult but nigh on impossible for a committee to defer or refuse an application on highway grounds without their objection.”
04 February 2020