Information and Core Documents Library for the Land West of The Fox and Raven appeal
General information
- Planning Application Reference: 23/01105/FUL
- Planning Inspector's Reference: APP/W1525/W/25/3365611
- Appeal by: Countryside Properties (UK) Limited and Stonebond Properties (Chelmsford) Ltd
- Site address: Land West of The Fox and Raven, Chelmer Village Way, Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6XE
The applicant has appealed against our decision to refuse planning permission for:
"Residential development comprising the construction of 55 affordable homes, provision of open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage, ground re-profiling, formation of bund, cycle and footpath links, vehicular access from Chelmer Village Way and highway changes to Chelmer Village Way.”
Appeal process
A planning inspector will consider the appeal using the public inquiry procedure. The inquiry is due to open at 10am on Tuesday 21 October 2025 and to resume on subsequent sitting days at 9:30am.
It will be an in-person event held in the Council Chamber. We also intend to live-stream the event. You can find links to each session on our YouTube channel.
The event is currently programmed to sit until Thursday 6 November 2025. Friday 7 November 2025 and the week commencing 10 November 2025 are held as reserve days.
The main planning matters for consideration in the inquiry relate to:
- the green wedge
- flood risk
- the planning balance
- heritage
- trees
- design
- highways
- affordable housing provision
Following the inquiry, the appointed Planning Inspector will make a decision on the appeal in due course.
Documentation
You can view the Core Documents Library for this appeal.
This library is maintained by a third party (a representative of the Appellant).
Programme
This is a draft programme and may be subject to change.
Day 1: Tuesday 21 October (10am to 5:15pm)
Session 1 (10am to 11:30am)
Openings (Inspector, appellants, Council, Rule 6 Party)
Session 2 (11:45am to 1:15pm)
Interested parties and Q and A on ecology (as needed)
Session 3 (2pm to 3pm)
Round table discussion on heritage matters
Session 4 (3:15pm to 5:15pm)
Round table discussions on tree and design matters
Note
The interested parties session will be reserved for interested parties to make any points they wish to, provided they are relevant and not repetitious.
If a contributor intends to read out a statement, then it would be helpful if hard copies provided for to the Inspector, Appellant, Rule 6 party, and Council. The opposing advocate will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Day 2: Wednesday 22 October (9:30am to 5:15pm)
Session 1 (9:30am to 10:30am)
Round table discussion on highways matters
Session 2 (10:45am to 12:15pm)
Rule 6 party's witness on Sequential Test (Mr Forde) evidence and cross-examination
Session 3 (12:20pm to 1:05pm)
Rule 6 party's witness on Hydrology (Mr Parker) evidence in chief
Session 4 (1:50pm to 3:20pm)
Rule 6 party's witness on Hydrology (Mr Parker) cross-examination and re-examination
Session 5 (3:25pm to 5:15pm)
Rule 6 party's witness on Local Experience (Ms Wollner) evidence, cross examination and re-examination
Day 3: Thursday 23 October (9:30am to 4:45pm)
Session 1 (9:30am to 11am)
Appellants' witness on Flood Risk (Mr Bennett) evidence in chief and start of cross-examination
Session 2 (11:15am to 12:45pm)
Appellants' witness on Flood Risk (Mr Bennett) conclusion of cross-examination and any re-examination
Session 3 (1:30pm to 3pm)
Council's witness on Green Wedge and Planning (Ms Hutchinson) evidence in chief and start of cross-examination
Session 4 (3:15pm to 4:45pm)
Council's witness on Green Wedge and Planning (Ms Hutchinson) conclusion of cross-examination and any re-examination
Day 4: Friday 24 October (9:30am to 4:45pm)
Session 1 (9:30am to 11am)
Rule 6 party's witness on Green Wedge and Planning (Mr Forde) evidence and cross-examination starts
Session 2 (11:15am to 12:45am)
Rule 6 party's witness on Green Wedge and Planning (Mr Forde) cross-examination concludes
Session 3 (1:30pm to 3pm)
Appellants' witness on Green Wedge (Mr Williams) evidence in chief and start of cross-examination
Session 4 (3:15pm to 4:45pm)
Appellants' witness on Green Wedge (Mr Williams) conclusion of cross-examination and any re-examination
Day 5: Wednesday 5 November (9:30am to 5:30pm)
Session 1 (9:30am to 11am)
Appellants' witness on Affordable Housing (Mr Stacey)
Session 2 (11:15am to 12:45pm)
Appellants' witness on Planning (Mr Dixon) evidence in chief and start of cross-examination
Session 3 (1:30pm to 3:15pm)
Appellants' witness on Planning (Mr Dixon) cross-examination continues
Session 4 (3:30pm to 5:30pm)
Appellants' witness on Planning (Mr Dixon) conclusion of cross-examination and any re-examination
Round table discussion on conditions and S106
Day 6: Thursday 6 November (9:30am to 4pm)
Session 1 (9:30am to 10:15am)
Rule 6 closing submissions
Session 2 (10:30am to 11:30am)
Council closing submissions
Session 3 (11:45am to 1:15pm)
Appellants closing submissions
Costs applications (if any)
Inquiry closes
Accompanied Site Visit from approximately 2pm onwards
Reserve days
Friday 7 November and the week commencing 10 November.
9:30am to 5:30pm (except Tuesday 11 November, which would finish early at 4pm due to an evening meeting)
- Agenda items to be confirmed
Round table discussions
You can view agendas for the round table discussions online.