Coppingers, Latchingdon

This project involves the redevelopment of a site at Coppingers, Maldon Road, Latchingdon, for a scheme of up to ten new dwellings within a semi-rural edge-of-settlement location.

The site sits just outside the defined settlement boundary of Latchingdon and was subject to a detailed planning history, culminating in a successful appeal which established the principle of residential development. The Inspector concluded that, despite conflict with local spatial strategy policies, the proposal represented sustainable development when assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework, particularly in the context of the Council’s limited housing land supply.

The approved outline consent provides for a sensitively arranged residential scheme, positioned within an established pattern of development along Maldon Road. The site benefits from strong physical and visual connections to the village, with pedestrian links to local services and public transport, supporting its role as a logical extension to the existing settlement form.

The emerging design approach has focused on creating a well-structured and coherent layout that responds to both the linear frontage character of Maldon Road and the softer rural landscape beyond. The development is being carefully considered through the reserved matters stage to ensure that scale, massing and spatial relationships respect neighbouring properties while delivering a high-quality living environment.

The project is currently progressing through the detailed design and reserved matters process, with a focus on translating the principles established at outline stage into a deliverable and well-resolved scheme. This includes the coordination of layout, access, drainage, landscaping and architectural detailing to ensure a cohesive and buildable development.

Once complete, the scheme will deliver a modest but meaningful contribution to local housing supply, alongside associated economic and social benefits. The project demonstrates how smaller sites in sustainable edge-of-settlement locations can play an important role in addressing housing need, particularly in areas where local authorities are unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

Project status: Reserved matters application submitted and awaiting determination.