Time for Action – June 15 is the deadline to respond to UTT/25/2786/OP
The Clock is ticking….. We need as many people to respond as possible by June 15th.
So far, your input has helped. Uttlesford have asked the Developer for more information (links at bottom of page). The areas that the Planning Officer has highlighted are:
Built Heritage and Historic Environment
Surface Water Drainage and Flood Risk
Ecology and Biodiversity
Landscape and Visual Impact
Urban Design and Master planning
You can comment on any or all of these, but you can also comment on any aspect of the application.
Surface Water Drainage and Flood Risk
The site put forward to the Planning Inspector for inclusion in the Local Plan is quite clear. Sewage – ie foul water – should go to Jenkins Lane Sewage Works in Bishops Stortford.
The Developer plans to send foul water to Takeley Waste Water Treatment Works which does not have capacity to deal with this site and where vast quantities of sewage are already being regularly dumped into Pincey Brook.
Thames Water have made it clear that there is no capacity at Takeley Treatment Works and that they cannot commit to any upgrade. They have said “Following initial investigations, Thames Water has identified an inability of the existing SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS infrastructure to accommodate the needs of this development proposal”.
We think Uttlesford will try and add a pre-occupation Planning Condition, so that a development can go ahead with over 900 construction workers – and no mains sewage provision. This means 65-75 portable toilets plus hand washing facilities.
Landscape and Visual
You can also add pictures to your comments. For example, you could head a comment “Landscape and Visual”, say how the warehousing will affect your home, your amenity, your ability to sleep etc. You could comment on the noise & light pollution from vehicles and warehouses operating 24/7, the permanent urbanisation of open countryside, loss of rural character of The Street.
These are “material planning reason”. Adding a picture will help provide evidence.
The more evidence you can provide the better. Explaining that “this will fundamentally change the character of the area” is a stronger argument than simply saying “I don’t like the view”.
Ecology and Diversity
If you want to comment on Ecology and Diversity, it is worth noting that the site is in close proximity to Hatfield Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and to Priory Wood – considered to be Ancient Woodland
The NPPF defines an SSSI as
“Irreplaceable habitat: Habitats which would be technically very difficult (or take a very significant time) to restore, recreate or replace once destroyed, taking into account their age, uniqueness, species diversity or rarity”.
The Developer has failed to demonstrate that Hatfield Forest and Priory would not be harmed, so the planning application should be refusedon these grounds alone. The only feed for the lake in Hatfield Forest is from Shermore Brook that runs directly through the site, development could affect the flow and/or risk pollution to the SSSI lake.
What the Developer has done:
The Developer has paid consultants to provide so-called “evidence” to write convincing arguments about Priory Wood and Hatfield Forest.
These consultants did not have permission to enter and survey Hatfield Forest or Priory Wood. Not only is Priory Wood under private ownership and home to a Scout Camp, it is secured by tall deer proof fencing and security gates, so these surveys can be challenged. We think that the Developer should be made to withdraw these documents or publicly explain their actions.
They should also explain how they intend to assure children visiting the Scout Camp in Priory Wood can be adequately safeguarded given that their consultants and indeed the Developer appear to have ignored the camp security measures altogether.
Safeguarding Children may not be a “material planning reason”, but both the Developer and the Consultant should explain themselves, publicly apologise and withdraw the offending documents.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
When a developer destroys habitat, they must leave nature in a better state than before. If they remove Fields, Hedgerows, Trees, Wildlife habitat they must create enough replacement habitat to more than compensate.
Developers now have to show Biodiversity Net Gain of 20% when they apply for permission. This site is 27Ha of which about 18Ha is to be developed, BUT the Developer wants to buy BNG units off site. Uttlesford considers this to be a “last resort”. If the site is large enough for several huge warehouses, roads and parking areas, why is it not large enough to provide the required biodiversity gains on-site?”
Uttlesford advised the Developer that it may be acceptable to use “offsite habitat provision within Uttlesford District”. The Developer has ignored this advice.
Urban Design and Masterplanning
The Planning Officer has specifically requested further information regarding Urban Design and Masterplanning. You may wish to comment on whether the scale, height and massing of the proposed warehouses are appropriate for this location. Consider whether the development provides a suitable transition between existing homes and industrial buildings, for example the ‘Liz Lake’ image of the warehouse scale shows existing trees hiding visibility of the warehouses – trees that will have to be cut down to make way for the filter lane.
You can email your comments to planning@uttlesford.gov.uk, but you must provide a name and address.
You can comment more than once!
Link to new Developer documents (See documents dated 24/04/2026)
Step by Step Instructions on alternate ways to object
There are 3 ways to object (each option listed below):
- Via the Uttlesford website
- Via email
- Via Post
Each household member can submit their own objection.
How to Object via the Uttlesford website
1. Go to the Planning Portal
Visit: https://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/
2. Register or Log In
You must be logged in to submit a valid objection.
3. Search for the Application
Click Search / Planning / Simple Search
Enter planning reference: UTT/25/2786/OP
4. Click “Make a Comment”
Click the button on the application page.
5. Choose “Object”
Enter your full name and home address – without these your objection will not be counted.
Select “Object” as your stance.
6. Write Your Objection
7. Submit Your Objection
Click submit. You will receive an on-screen confirmation.
8. Encourage Others
Ask friends, family, neighbours to object.
9. Check after 1 week
After one week, check the planning portal to ensure your objection is logged.
How to Object via Email
- Send to: planning@uttlesford.gov.uk
- Subject Field: Objection – Planning Application UTT/25/2786/OP
- Write your objection in the body of the email. Your email should focus on material planning considerations as detailed above, including a clear statement that you object. Example: I wish to OBJECT to this planning application due to…..
- Finish with a sentence asking the Council to refuse the application, such as: Given the scale, location and impacts of this proposal, I respectfully ask the Council to REFUSE this application.
- Include your full name and address (the objection will not be accepted without your full name and address).
- After one week, check the planning portal to ensure your objection is logged.
How to Object via post
- You can also send a physical letter using the same format at the email (above).
- Send your letter to: Planning Department, Uttlesford District Council, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4ER.
- Post it 1st class and keep a copy.
- After one week, check the planning portal to ensure your objection is logged.
Shareable short steps (For email / Whatsapp Groups):
1. Visit planning portal https://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications
2. Log in
3. Search UTT/25/2786/OP
4. Click “Make a Comment – Object”
5. Write objection
6. Submit and Share
If you need any help with this process, email us at: takeleystreet@gmail.com
Thank you,
Takeley Street Action Group.