Priory

Planning granted for 89 homes in exchange for £7.4m building repairs



A planning inquiry has been halted after Tendring District Council agreed to grant planning permission for several residential developments in exchange for repairs to a historic priory.


The Sargeant family – who own St Osyth Priory and its grounds in Essex – had initially appealed the council’s decision to refuse planning permission for developments in and around the historic parkland.

However, the council has now granted conditional planning permission in exchange for a legal commitment from the Sargeant family to contribute £7.4m towards the repair and reuse of the priory’s main buildings.

Neil Stock, leader of Tendring District Council, said: “The appeal could have gone against the council, which would have meant the development of homes could have taken place without all the priory’s main structures being repaired.

“That would have been the worst possible scenario and what we have achieved is a very positive outcome.

“It will secure the future of this valuable historic asset, which could be a major attraction for both residents of Tendring and those visiting the district.”

Launched on 15th November, the appeal had been brought against two sets of planning applications refused by the council.

The first dated from 2011 and had been heard at a planning inquiry in 2014. 

The decision from that inquiry was subsequently quashed.

Meanwhile, the other applications were submitted earlier this year and pertained to plans for two residential developments of 72 and 17 homes respectively. 

The Sargeants withdrew their appeal after the council’s planning committee agreed to the compromise.

Some of the money will now be given to a charitable trust to manage the repair and reuse of buildings for public access to the historic site.

“The Sargeants have today confirmed their willingness to meet the planning committee’s resolution and withdraw the appeals and so it has been possible for the council to grant conditional planning permission,” councillor Stock added.

“It signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the priory and a real opportunity for the landowners and the community to work together to make this a success story.”



Leave a comment