'Hellish place' for a care home says councillor as plan passed

PLANS for a care home that one councillor described as being in a “hellish” location off one of the busiest junctions in Essex have been approved.

- By PIERS MEYLER Local democracy reporter

Brentwood Borough Council also approved 142 new homes as part of the plans on land north of Shenfield despite a lack of parking spaces and sound from roads reaching 55 decibels on the plot.

Developer Countryside Properties had warned the council’s planning committee not to refuse its plans for new houses and a care home.

The warning follows a decision earlier this month by the planning inspector on a different plot in Shenfield, which led to £141,000 in costs being awarded against the council after it was successfully appealed by its developer, Croudace.

However, the committee has set out a list of concerns about the care home development, including the position of the home, which is “surrounded” by the A12, Mountnessing roundabout and Shenfield Road.

The housing development is also short of parking spaces by about 20 per cent.