Consent was recently granted on appeal for up to 145 dwellings at Parsons Heath Colchester. FPCR provided masterplanning, landscape and ecological advice, including expert witnesses at the appeal. The site formed part of the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community draft policy area and was located within an area identified as a “green buffer”. The appeal inspector reduced the weight attached to the emerging Garden Community policy, due to findings of the local plan inspector post appeal. The appeal inspector found that in terms of ecology, the concerns identified by the council were not borne out and that there would be moderate environmental benefits arising from the proposed green infrastructure. Whilst the inspector concluded that the council had over 5 years housing land supply, on balance the benefits arising from the scheme would not be outweighed by adverse environmental effects.

The full decision can be read here.