Planning Permission Secured for Warehouse Expansion in Tendring

We’re delighted to confirm that Tendring Distirct Council has granted planning permission for the extension of an existing warehouse in Alresford, Essex.

The project involves a carefully designed front extension that supports the growth of a local storage and distribution business.

While modest in scale this project posed several planning challenges, due the site’s positioning within aresidential area.

The successful outcome reflects the strength of our strategic planning approach, our commitment to constructive engagement with the local authority, and our ability to adapt the design in response to feedback.

Early Engagement and Design Refinement

From the start, we followed a clear, proactive process.

Recognising the site’s constraints and residential surroundings, we engaged with Tendring District Council at the pre-application stage. This allowed us to:

• Understand the council’s design expectations;

• Discuss the visual and operational implications of the proposal; and

• Agree on the type and scale of development that might be acceptable in principle.

The pre-application feedback raised some concerns around massing, overdevelopment, and proximity to nearby homes. In response, the design was revised to reduce the visual impact and ensure the extension would read as a subordinate and sympathetic addition to the existing structure.

A Challenging Application Phase

Despite early engagement, the submitted application was initially met with resistance.

Following the statutory consultation, Council officers were concerned that the development would:

• Overwhelm the site and neighbouring dwellings;

• Result in unacceptable impacts on light and privacy;

• Represent an overdevelopment of the plot.

At this stage, the application faced the risk of refusal.

We engaged further with the planning officer, reduced the scope of the extension, and supplied clear and compelling justification for the revised scheme.

We demonstrated that the revised proposal:

• Supports economic growth by enabling the expansion of a rural business;

• Respects the character and appearance of the area;

• Preserves neighbouring residential amenity through careful design and positioning;

• Meets national policy aims, including the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

We also addressed concerns raised by the parish council and local residents. Issues around traffic, amenity, and biodiversity were directly tackled through supporting documents, consultation with Essex County Council Highways, and an Arboricultural Impact Assessment.

Officer Support and Approval Granted

The case officer’s acknowledged that the revised scheme:

• Will have no significant visual impact on the street scene;

• Will not materially harm neighbouring privacy, daylight, or amenity;

• Is proportionate to the site’s role as a local employment location.

The final recommendation to approve confirms that the benefits of the proposal, particularly its economic contribution and policy compliance, outweigh the initial concerns.

What This Means for the Client—and the Local Economy

This permission providesour client with the ability to expand and futureproof their operations without needing to relocate.

It also demonstrates that, even in constrained or contentious settings, a well-considered planning strategy can unlock development potential.

Get in Touch

Are you planning a commercial or mixed-use development? Struggling with planning policy, design objections, or local opposition?

We can help. Our team specialises in navigating complex planning environments, balancing policy with design, and delivering practical outcomes for clients.

Let’s talk about your next project.
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