Alex Burghart, the Conservative Candidate for Brentwood and Ongar has updated local residents who have expressed concern about the unauthorised development at Five Acre Farm in Great Warley, Brentwood.
- A 7th plot is now being constructed on the site which forms a further breach of planning and the existing stop notice. It was made plain to the owners that any further works are an offence for which they will be prosecuted. Action will be taken through the courts and this is already underway as a result of the original stop notice breach.
- The planning application for 6 pitches has been validated and is now being processed by the Local Planning Authority for consideration under the their green belt policies.
- Environmental Health officers from Brentwood Borough Council are visiting Five Acres on a daily basis to check for environmental hazards. An Essex CC Watercourse Engineer has also been on site to assess impact.
- Portable chemical toilets are in use on the site.
- The water company has been made aware of the development and has visited. They are not currently aware of any illegal tapping in to their supply. Alex has been told if a standpipe is requested for the site, it has to supply one within 28 days.
- The issue of generators running on the site is also being investigated by Brentwood Council Officers as to what action can be taken to resolve this.
- Following Alex’s conversation with the Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr David Finch, Essex County Council officers have also visited the site with respect to the footpath issue. The footpath has been blocked and the relevant papers have been issued to the land owner requiring its resolution. Essex County Council are now awaiting a formal response.
- Alex has spoken to Chief Inspector Lewis Basford, the District Commander for Essex Police’s Brentwood policing team and reiterated the community’s concerns.
- Four community representatives – two from the residents group and two from the Conservation Society - have now been nominated to the working group and they will be meeting with Council Officers and Members in December.
Alex has urged all those affected to keep him informed of any further issues of concern in the neighbourhood.
Alex said: “I will continue to liaise with the Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Chris Hossack, about the action the Council is taking over planning enforcement and will keep local residents informed when there are any updates.” ENDS
