This website has been prepared on behalf of Weston Homes Plc (“Weston Homes”) as part of a formal consultation taking place alongside the submission of an application under Section 16 of the Commons Act 2006, which relates to the deregistration and exchange of land within a Village Green.
Site with planning permission at Jack’s Field
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This engagement follows the informal consultation undertaken between 28 August 2024 and 11 September 2024 on the draft proposals.
Weston Homes recently secured planning permission for 40 dwellings and open space at Jack’s Field, Warish Hall Farm, Smiths Green Lane, Takeley, Essex, CM22 6NZ (Uttlesford District Council planning ref: S62A/2023/0027.)
To facilitate the delivery of this development, this Section 16 application seeks to deregister land from the Village Green at Smith’s Green Lane. The application also proposes to provide replacement land to be added to the Village Green.
Land Compensation Plan
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Release land: The land to be released from the Village Green forms part of the narrow roadside verge to the east of Smiths Green Lane. The release of this land is required to provide access to the development site, including the required visibility splays, from Smiths Green Lane.
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Replacement land: The proposed replacement land comprises a rectangular area of open space within the development site, located to the east of Smith’s Green Lane, to be accessed from the shared footpath/cycleway to be provided as part of the development.
​Weston Homes has submitted this Section 16 Commons Act application to the Secretary of State. You are invited to make comments for consideration by the Secretary of State.
This Section 16 Commons Act application is entirely separate from the planning process.
ABOUT WESTON HOMES
Weston Homes is one of the leading developers of high quality homes in the South East of England.
Established in 1987, the company has its head office in Takeley, Uttlesford.
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Weston Homes is the freehold owner of the replacement land. The Kennedy Trust is the current freehold owner of the release land and is therefore a joint Applicant to this Section 16 Application.
Section 16
Application Proposals
Site with planning permission at Jack’s Field
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Release Land
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The land to be released from the Village Green forms part of the roadside verge that comprises grass and overgrown hedgerow. It extends to 264sqm.
The release of this land is required to provide access to the development site from Smiths Green Lane, including the required visibility splays, and working space to enable construction of the new access.
Village Green Replacement Land Illustration
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Replacement Land​
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The proposed replacement land to be added to the Village Green, which measures 757sqm, is located to the east of Smith’s Green Lane, adjoining the existing Village Green. It will be accessed from the shared footpath/cycleway to be provided as part of the development.
The replacement land comprises a grassed area, which will be subject to landscape planting and regular management and maintenance as part of the wider housing development. It is of greater quantum and is considered to be of higher quality than the release land.
CGI Proposed Development
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We consider that the proposals will bring important benefits for individuals, the neighbourhood, the public interest and in terms of the wider public interest.
The proposals will provide a net increase of 493sqm in Village Green land, which is of higher quality, and will bring benefits for biodiversity. They will enable the permitted development at Jack’s Field to come forward to provide much needed housing, comprising 40 dwellings, of which 16 would be affordable homes. Additional benefits in facilitating this development include the provision of a local play area, improvements to restricted Byway 48/25 (Jacks Lane) and financial contributions towards local services including schools, sustainable transport and libraries.
Facilitating the development would also support the delivery of the emerging Uttlesford Local Plan strategy for Takeley, in particular by providing an active travel route through the site, thereby unlocking wider social, environmental and economic benefits for this area.
Application Documents
The documents and plans submitted under Section 16 Commons Act have been made available here for you to review.
The draft application documents are also available to view at:
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Weston Homes,
Weston Group Business Centre,
Parsonage Rd,
Takeley,
Bishop's Stortford
CM22 6PU
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Tel: 01279 873333
Opening hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday
How to Comment
​​Should you wish to submit comments on the Section 16 Commons Act proposals, please provide these comments in writing ON or BEFORE 13th November 2024 to:
The Planning Inspectorate
3A Temple Quay House
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6PN
Or email: commonlandcasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
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The Secretary of State’s decision will be based on the merits of the proposal and will balance all the interests in the Village Green, taking account of all views expressed.
The comments submitted as part of the earlier, informal consultation are included in this Section 16 application for consideration by the Secretary of State, together with responses from the Applicant.