The ‘presumption’ in favour of development is little known but is having a huge impact across the Braintree district. Put very simply, if a local authority fails to meet its five-year housing target or have an up-to-date Local Plan in place, developers know that they can (barring a few caveats) obtain planning permission on sites which would not otherwise be deemed acceptable. Frustrated locals then find their valid concerns are irrelevant in the face of the presumption. Braintree Council is in just this position and is a honey pot for developers making the most of the situation. Just this month, Gladman, a land promoter, has proposed a development in Black Notley that officers rejected previously as unsuitable.
The ‘presumption’ in favour of development is little known but is having a huge impact across the Braintree district. Put very simply, if a local authority fails to meet its five-year housing target or have an up-to-date Local Plan in place, developers know that they can (barring a few caveats) obtain planning permission on sites which would not otherwise be deemed acceptable. Frustrated locals then find their valid concerns are irrelevant in the face of the presumption. Braintree Council is in just this position and is a honey pot for developers making the most of the situation. Just this month, Gladman, a land promoter, has proposed a development in Black Notley that officers rejected previously as unsuitable.