Revised plans for the ‘Center Parcs’ style holiday park proposed for former quarry land off Robinson Road, Brightlingsea are due to be decided by Tendring District councillors on November 5.

The original plan for theLower Farm site was approved in March 2021, with the revisions submitted in 2023 increasing the mix of holiday lodges, glamping units, retirement lodges  and residential properties from 149 units to 171 and covering 51% more space.

The application, by Corby-based Artemis (Brightlingsea), has been recommended for approval by Tendring District Council (TDC) planners. In September 2023 Brightlingsea Town Council said the plan should be refused – a decision applauded by around 100 people who attended the council’s planning committee meeting.

A site visit by committee members, Brightlingsea town and district councillors and council staff is scheduled for 11am on November 5, with the committee due to deliberate the plans at 5pm the same day. Members of the public can attend the site visit “to observe”, says TDC, but  “no lobbying” can take place: if it does then council members and staff will leave.

In the original plans, the developers said that a “small number” of Brightlingsea residents would be able to use of gym and swimming facilities. However, because the number of bedrooms in some of the lodges has been increased – with a corresponding increase in the potential number of people on the site – documents submitted to TDC now say that “…the extent of public access and membership numbers on offer have been reduced”.

Under the proposals, the 81-acre site will see two new lakes formed and a new island formed in an existing lake, which will be enlarged. Exising earth mounds on the site will be retained and new ones formed to screen sporting and other areas, while extensive “naturalistic” planting of shrubs and trees will take place.

Natural England says the development would have no effect on overwintering bird life in the wider area, and Essex County Council’s highways department is satisfied that there will be “insignificant impact on traffic flows” generally and at the Thorrington crossroads in particular.

If the plans are approved, the developer could have to pay an affordable housing contribution of nearly £953,000. This would not be earmarked for Brightlingsea but instead go into a district-wide fund. A public open space contribution of just over £14,000 would, however, pay for “enhancements” to the Bayard Recreation Ground, with a further £27,300 paying for an upgraded bus stop in Bellfield Avenue – the nearest public transport link to the site.

Further contributions of £163.86 per unit would be required to mitigate the effects on wildlife, with further uncosted contributions towards any highway improvements that may be necessary.

The planning application proposes:

• 104 timber holiday lodges comprising 29 two-bedroom lodges, 31 three-bedroom lodges, 30 four-bedroom lodges and 14 five-bedroom lodges
• 20 single storey glamping pods, each with a living/dining/sleeping area, kitchenette and WC shower.
• 36 retirement timber lodges – six one-bedroom lodges, 15-two bedroom lodges and 15-three bedroom lodges.
• A retirement social hub with social space, communal kitchen, meeting rooms and toilets with consultation space available for healthcare professionals and care workers where required.
• Five private houses accessed via a new and separate access onto Robinson Road.
• Swimming, gym and spa facilities, a reception and guest services building, a restaurant, a workshop and an estates building.
• An outside space for small scale events. “An artisan market with street food stalls/ vans and an opportunity for local business to sell locally produced products and crafts is envisaged”, says the developer, with access allowed for local residents.

The developer says that the retirement lodges will only be available for over-55s, while glamping units and holiday lodges are intended for short-term use with no residential use allowed.

Conditions laid down by planners state that no occupation of the site can take place until a junction with Robinson Road is completed, along with pavement improvements, on-site parking and the upgrade to the Bellfield Avenue bus stop and shelter.

The documents submitted to the planning department can be seen here.