The Chairman will make his announcements.

Applications for Decision

I would like to remind members of the public that Councillors have to make decisions on planning applications strictly in accordance with planning principles.

I would also like to remind members of the public that decisions may not always be popular, but they should respect the need for Councillors to take decisions that will stand up to external scrutiny or accountability.

(if any) - receive.

There was no apologies for absence.

Members are invited to disclose any interest in any of the items on the agenda at this point in the meeting.

Members may still disclose any interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The Committee noted the report without discussion.

Appendices 1-9 are published in full within the committee agenda pack, with a link provided for completeness. 

Appendices 10-24 are only included as links. Links are available at the end of the committee report.

The Committee received the Local Development Order (LDO) proposals for the land north of Fen Lane.

It was confirmed that the report had reached the stage where the Committee was being asked to approve the commencement of the statutory consultation. A comprehensive set of appendices had been provided to give Members the full amount of information on the proposed site. Several representatives from the project management team and external consultants were in attendance in support of the item.

Officers explained that an LDO is a legally binding document that grants permitted planning approval for specified development within a designated zone. Only the works included within the LDO could be undertaken and anything outside its scope would require separate consent. Members noted that data centres, which was the proposed use for the land, had been nationally prioritised at a similar level to water and energy infrastructure and the proposed LDO would support urgently needed digital capacity for London and the wider UK.

Members were informed that the proposal included a major ecology park and visitor centre to deliver biodiversity improvements within the Green Belt. The LDO would streamline the planning process, although significant preparatory work was required upfront. Officers outlined the four stages involved; preparation, statutory consultation, consideration of representations and final adoption by formal resolution. The Committee’s decision at this meeting related solely to authorising officers to begin the consultation process.

Officers summarised the geography of the site. It was located in the east of the borough, adjoining Thurrock, with several residential properties and listed buildings in proximity, within the North Ockendon Conservation Area. The substation was cited as a key determining factor in the choice of location. A care home was situated close to the site. The site measured approximately 218.8 hectares, was entirely within the Green Belt, and consisted of four arable farms. There were two main vehicle access points from Fen Lane, with a further small access point and the topography sloped from west to east.

Officers detailed the permitted development parameters within the LDO, including; Data centre floor space up to 340,000m², Indoor horticulture up to 50,000m², District heating centre up to 3,300m², Campus management up to 2,700m², Visitor centre up to 600m².

The LDO itself was structured around four broad components; the erection of buildings, other development such as the ecology park and play area, associated infrastructure including roads, parking, servicing, utilities, drainage, CCTV and lighting and site preparation works such as earthworks and temporary site facilities.

Members were advised that the eastern portion of the site would be the principal ecology park, although ecological enhancements extended around much of the perimeter. A number of public rights of way and cycle routes passed around the area.

Officers then outlined the documents forming the draft LDO, which included the Order, Design Code, Code of Construction, Landscape & Ecological Management and Monitoring Plan, Travel Plan which was noted as a live document, detailed plans, a Statement of Reasons and a Section 106 agreement. The LDO would operate for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.