Harwich: Plans submitted for holiday units at Great Oakley farm

A bid for the land in Harwich Road, Great Oakley, has been submitted to Tendring Council. 

In a planning statement prepared by property experts Stanfords, it says the site is situated at the end of Harwich Road, just before the lane meets Lodge Farm and Great Oakley Airfield.

If the application is approved, there would be two holiday units north of Harwich Road, three to the south and one adjacent to an existing clubhouse.

The proposal also says the Plankbridge’s ‘The Cabin’, a shepherd's hut design constructed on a chassis, would be used.

These huts would be constructed by hand, using a modern timber frame and each holiday unit would be equipped with an en suite and kitchenette while there are no windows on the side elevations which could cause overlooking into other holiday units at the application site.

The application site itself is surrounded by 300 acres of land owned by the applicant and is currently used for agricultural purposes.

However, the planning statement states that juxtaposition of the farmyard, airfield, existing dwellings, and boundaries has rendered the land in question as “awkward and restricted to farm.”

It continued: “There are at least four passing areas along the lane, and it is proposed to utilise an existing area of hardstanding on the northern side of the lane, south of the solar panels. 

“There is adequate space for five parking spaces; one to serve each unit. There is also one parking space proposed for the sixth unit adjacent to the clubhouse as shown on the submitted plan.”

The application notes that guests at the proposed holiday site would have close proximity to the village of Great Oakley, which includes a community public house, a store, village hall, All Saints Church and Richwill Farm.

As the site also houses an airfield, the application also suggests the possibility of pilots and crew members staying overnight between flights.

Tendring Council will have the final say.