A NEW 49 home estate will be built behind existing properties in Wickford after plans were scaled back and given the green light.

Developer Redcoombe Limited is set to build the development of up to 49 homes at 200 London Road, and land to the rear of the property in Wickford. The outline planning permission also includes the demolition of all existing buildings, structures and hardstanding and new open space and associated infrastructure. 

The plans have been scaled back by 25 per cent from 65 to 49 homes after discussions between the developer and Basildon Council officers. The plans state this is "substantially reducing scale, mass and density." The homes are set to be from one point five to two storeys in height and be three and four bedroom family houses.  

The firm is urged the council to decide on the plans while "making a sensible planning judgement." It also reminded the authority not to delay delivering homes for "real people in need of homes now."

The developer says the development will "utilise" previously developed land to create a "modest and contained extension within the north-western part of Wickford to accommodate the borough's growing housing needs." 

A planning statement says: "The proposals have been amended reflecting positive post application discussions with officers resulting in a significant reduction in the overall quantum of development from the "up to 65 units" proposed when the application was submitted.

"It is acknowledged the proposed development will cause some very minor mainly "definitional" harm to the green belt, and it is accepted that appropriate weight must be given to that harm, but the scheme would also deliver a series of very substantial public benefits, most obviously (but not limited) to the delivery of much needed general, including local needs market and affordable housing in an area of longstanding and continuing market failure.

"Recent application decisions demonstrate the council needs to build on land that is currently in the green belt to meet its housing needs going forward. There is a policy vacuum at the local level, with the emerging Local Plan now withdrawn with no short to medium term prospect of a policy basis for the delivery of housing to meet the identified need. Crucially, whilst there is focus on the 'number of homes' required; it is beholden on everyone to also fully appreciate that these represent real people in need of homes now. The council is respectfully urged to not delay meeting that need or delay the delivery of all the other benefits this scheme will deliver."