Objections to Cuckoo Hill Development, Bures – April 2019

Background

The developer (Stemar Group) started construction of a six house development at the former slaughterhouse site in March 2017.  However the development soon faced fierce opposition from Bures residents and parish councillors after an independent survey, commissioned by villagers, found a height difference of 2.6 metres (8.5ft) from the original plans. Babergh District Council’s enforcement team upheld complaints regarding the height and the developer then submitted a retrospective planning application for the whole site. This application was unanimously refused by Babergh’s planning committee in July 2018. Babergh’s legal team also refused five individual Certificates for Lawful Development from the developer in January, stating that the houses do not fall within the scope of permission granted.

Three further retrospective planning applications have now been submitted for plots one to four of the development, which will go before Babergh council’s committee in the summer.

Application REF nos. DC/19/01422 (plot 1 &2) , DC/19/01427 (plot 3), DC/19/01428 (plot 4)

Over 70 objections have been submitted to date. 

It is the opinion of the Bures Parish Council that Babergh District Council should not have accepted this application for consideration on the grounds that the drawings submitted remain inaccurate. 
On accepting this application it indicates that the site is being considered as a split site and the Parish Council strongly feels that the site should continue to be considered as a whole.
 
As Charles Aldous stated in his letter to Babergh DC, “These applications highlight the importance of protecting the character and setting of Bures, particularly given the decision, supported by Babergh District Council, to apply to have the Dedham Vale AONB extended to include Bures and land further towards Sudbury. Although for quite different reasons, the Inspector recently upheld Braintree’s objection to allow 98 houses to be built in Bures on the other side of the Stour, Braintree’s action emphasises the continuing resolve needed by both District Councils to be steadfast in protecting the village from unacceptable development.”

Action: The CSCA will be supporting both Bures parish councils with a letter objecting to these applications. 

For reference, and for quick access to the Babergh DC website, click below to read the letter from the Bures Parish Councils:

https://planning.baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/files/BF2BED44D6F4C8615A795A9D190CE1F8/DC_19_01428-BURES_HAMLET_PARISH_COUNCIL_RESPONSE-7199653.PDF

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