Residents to fight Crowbridge Farm 40-home bid

Go Homes has revised its plan for Crowbridge Farm, off Chapel Hill, and is now proposing to build 40 homes instead of 70.

The developer saw an application for 70 homes rejected by Braintree Council in January last year and the decision was upheld on appeal by a planning inspector later in the year.

Go Homes had informed the Gazette it would reduce the number of proposed homes if it was unable to get planning permission and the developer has stayed true to its word by submitting an application for 40 homes earlier this month.

The new blueprints state changes have been made to address previous concerns about the impact the new homes would have on the character of the area and nearby Grade II listed buildings.

A total of 12 homes will be allocated as affordable housing and plans remain in place to install a child’s play area and a landscaped park for residents to use.

The homes proposed would be a mix of bungalows and houses, with a total of 14 properties having up to four bedrooms.

Town councillor Peter Caulfield, who set up the Hands off Chapel Hill group to oppose Go Homes’ original plan to build 70 homes on the site, says campaigners will once again oppose the scheme.

He insists many of the concerns previously raised by residents living in Chapel Hill and Sloe Hill remain and has assured them the group will fight the proposals.

He said: “From my perspective, my previous objections still stand. I note they have reduced the number of houses by thirty and do not intend to build in front of the listed barn, thereby mitigating some of the concerns of the building inspector. I also note the piece of land to be left vacant by the changes, will be called, ironically, a heritage open space.

“There are several issues we will be commenting on to the planners, so I can assure Chapel Hill residents the ‘Hand’s Off’ campaign will still put up a robust fight to have this application turned down.

“Chapel Hill simply cannot sustain 40 more dwellings.”