The decision on the Hockley Mushroom Shed application has been delayed by a month.
This is an application to convert a redundant mushroom shed at Pond Chase Nursery, Folly Lane, Hockley into 4 light industrial units of 280 square metres (3000 square feet) each .
It was due to be decided at tonight’s Development Control Committee Meeting. Officers were recommending that it be left in the hands of the Head of Planning (Shaun Scrutton) to pass the scheme once the formal consultation period had ended tomorrow. However 49 objections had been received from the public, mostly concerned about traffic and the very principle of using this site for industrial use.
With the sole ward member, Cllr Mrs Liv Hungate, on holiday, it was left to another Hockley Councillor , Keith Hudson. to open the debate. He immediately asked for a decision to be deferred to September’s meeting, to allow more time to explain things to the public , and to allow for councillors to have a site meeting. This motion was seconded by Rayleigh Councillor Peter Webster and agreed by all. Chris Black also asked that more information be given to councillors about traffic figures.