# Land west of Edmond Street, Newman Drive and Benson Close, Burnham-on-Crouch

- **Decision:** approved, 2 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Council planning committee: Maldon District Planning Committee
- **Authority:** Maldon (East of England)
- **Application reference:** 26/00018/FULM
- **Procedure:** committee
- **Development:** Hybrid — full permission for 170 dwellings, outline for up to 190 dwellings (40% affordable), retention of employment land, open space, bridleway
- **Homes:** 360
- **Site context:** open-countryside, settlement-edge
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Housing land supply (years):** 4.1
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** S5(1)(j)(i), S3, TR3, HO7
- **Development plan policies:** Maldon LDP 2017 S2, S6 (Burnham-on-Crouch strategic allocations), E1, H1
- **Main issues:** S5(1)(j), landscape, highways phasing
- **Tags:** s5-1-j, substantially-outweighed, open-countryside, housing-shortfall, large-scheme, allocation-extension

## Summary
Up to 360 homes as a westward extension of an allocated Burnham-on-Crouch strategic site that is under construction. Approved under S5(1)(j): 4.1-year supply, physically well related, infrastructure secured. Officers: "The identified adverse effects do not substantially outweigh the significant housing and affordable-housing benefits" (Report ¶3.1.17).

## Issues and findings
- **S5(1)(j).** "The proposal relates directly to the existing strategic allocation and addresses an evidenced housing-supply shortfall in a location physically well related to Burnham-on-Crouch and capable of being supported by the necessary infrastructure" (¶3.1.11).
- **Location.** The station is about 1.6 km away, a 20-minute walk (¶5.1.16). Some amenity routes are "towards the upper end of a convenient walking journey" (¶5.1.15).
- **Deliverability** was treated as part of the benefit: Phase 1 from April 2027 "ensuring that this housing would be delivered within the 5-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) period" (¶3.1.12).

## Transferable points
- An extension of an allocation under construction is a natural S5(1)(j) "well-related" case (¶3.1.11).
- Delivery within the five-year period was used to add weight to the housing benefit (¶3.1.12).

## Policy findings
- **S5(1)(j)(i): pass.** adjoins and is accessed through allocated Burnham-on-Crouch West scheme under construction; 4.1-year supply; infrastructure via S106/S278
- **TR3: pass.** Burnham station c.1.6 km (20 min walk); several amenities 'towards the upper end of a convenient walking journey'; railway crossing safety contribution
- **HO7: benefit (substantial weight).** homes deliverable within five-year period (Phase 1 from April 2027); 40% affordable vs 30% policy

## Key facts
- Extension of an allocated strategic site under construction by the same developer
- Independent landscape consultant found harm acceptable because the site is enclosed to north and west
- Highway works phased; members required Kitts Hill/B1012 works before first occupation

## Sources
- https://democracy.maldon.gov.uk/documents/s42654/26-00018-FULM%20West%20of%20Burnham.pdf
- https://democracy.maldon.gov.uk/documents/g4710/Printed%20minutes%2002nd-Sep-2026%2019.30%20District%20Planning%20Committee.pdf?T=1

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/maldon-26-00018-FULM.html

A summary of a public planning decision, written from the officer report. Not legal advice. © Planning Distilled. Released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): share and adapt freely, with credit to Planning Distilled. Quotations from decision letters, plans and the Framework remain the copyright of their publishers.