Positive Engagement Helps Bloor Homes Secure Planning Approval at Long Melford

JBPL are exceptionally pleased to have been able to assist Bloor Homes Eastern in securing a planning consent for their much-enhanced scheme in Long Melford, following positive dialogue with the District and Parish Councils.

The Reserved Matters application for 150 dwellings, was submitted to Babergh District Council in April 2021. This followed a decision from the Secretary of State in April 2020 to allow an earlier Outline application, which had been originally refused by the Council, and was then subsequently challenged via an appeal.

This contentious site was initially considered at a Babergh Planning Committee in July 2021, where it was determined that the application should be 'deferred' for additional consideration of: the housing mix; design; layout; and sustainability measures, which Bloor were recommended to explore further.

This provided the opportunity for more detailed communication between the stakeholders. Bloor Homes successfully used this period to effect excellent communication between themselves; Long Melford Parish Council;  and District Council Officers, of which JBPL was also heavily involved.

The outcome of these discussions led to the creation of a balanced, attractive, and high-quality residential scheme. This included creating important open spaces; an enhanced entrance feature (including the enhancement of the WWII Spigot Mortar off Station Road); a wider use of materials including flint buildings and walls and colour render; higher quality shared spaces; improved landscaping; and more PVs and electric charging points across the site.

The scheme was approved unanimously on 6th October 2021 - an indictment of Bloor's commitment to seek to improve the scheme.