The Uttlesford Council Planning Committee was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications, and to note reports on planning application performance and applications submitted directly to the Planning Inspectorate¹. Councillors Richard Freeman and Judy Emanuel were scheduled to co-chair the meeting.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider three planning applications:

Land East of High Lane, Stansted Mountfitchet

Bloor Homes (Eastern) requested full planning permission for the erection of 56 dwellings, including affordable housing, formation of site accesses, open space, landscaping and associated infrastructure on land east of High Lane, Stansted Mountfitchet, application UTT/25/1061/FUL.

The planning officer's report noted that the site is a triangular shaped plot of agricultural land located outside the development limits of Stansted Mountfitchet, but adjacent to existing residential settlements. The report stated that while the development would have adverse impacts, the location of the site was suitable for development due to the residential character of the western portion of High Lane and other developments under construction directly south of the site. The report also noted that the sustainability credentials of the site were deemed appropriate, with reasonable distance to amenities and services in Stansted Mountfitchet, and good connections to bus, highway and rail services.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development, subject to a Section 106 agreement² and conditions.

Alpenrose, Bedlars Green, Great Hallingbury

Mr Nicholas Champion requested outline planning permission with all matters reserved except for appearance and scale for the demolition of the existing bungalow and erection of 4 detached dwellings at Alpenrose, Bedlars Green, Great Hallingbury, application UTT/25/1332/OP.

The planning officer's report noted that the proposed design of the dwellings was simple and responsive to existing built form in the site's environs, and used a stepped-down approach to scale to reflect the edge of settlement location of the site. The report stated that the density being proposed was not considered overbearing, nor an over-urbanisation of the site when considering existing densities within Bedlar's Green.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development, subject to conditions.

The Oaks, Cornells Lane, Widdington

Mr Samuel Bampton requested planning permission to demolish the existing outbuilding and erect a single storey three bedroom self-build dwelling at The Oaks, Cornells Lane, Widdington, application UTT/25/1729/FUL.

The planning officer's report noted that the proposed dwelling was the same scale, footprint and bulk as the existing redundant poultry building on site and was designed in the similar style as the dwellings currently under construction adjacent to the site, as approved under UTT/21/2649/FUL with brick plinth, weatherboard cladding and a slate grey standing seam roof. The report stated that the scale, form, bulk and appearance of the proposed dwelling would not appear overbearing or over dominant within the plot and would respond to the existing style, character and built form of the adjacent residential units.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development, subject to conditions.

Reports

The committee was also scheduled to note the following reports:

Quality and Speed of Major and Non-Major Applications

The Planning Committee was scheduled to note the Planning Applications Performance Report - September 2025. The report was intended to inform the committee of applications that have been considered at Planning Committee which contribute to data considered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government³ (MHCLG) as to whether the Local Planning Authority (LPA) falls within the criteria to be designated.

There are four criteria where a LPA may be designated: quality major, speed major, quality non-major and speed non-major. The report noted that on 6 June 2025, the council received a letter confirming that the 'Special Measures' had been removed with immediate effect, meaning the council was no longer designated.

S62A Applications Report

The Planning Committee was scheduled to note the S62A applications to PINs - September 2025 report. This report concerned applications submitted directly to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS).

The report listed applications which have been submitted direct to the Planning Inspectorate, including the date notified, the Planning Inspectorate reference, the Uttlesford District Council reference, the site address, the proposal, the Local Planning Authority role, and the decision from PINS. The report stated that there were no outstanding S62a applications.