People living in homes across Tendring have been given assurances they will not be forced to leave their homes this year over potential breaches of planning conditions.
According to Tendring District Council there are around 500 properties in the district that have conditions attached which require people living in them to leave for a period over the winter. Many of these are holiday homes, such as chalet-type buildings, that have become permanent residences but there are also some brick-built homes and caravans among this number.
The majority of the conditions were put in place decades ago to ensure people weren’t in danger of seasonal flooding but the council has said it is reviewing these conditions and won’t move people in the meantime.
Leader of Tendring District Council, Peter Halliday, said: “The types of buildings and the conditions attached to them vary enormously. Many of the conditions are historic and there is real mish-mash of situations.
“We announced earlier in the year that we will be reviewing these conditions and recognise the need to rationalise them, so there is some consistency across the board.
He added: “It is a big piece of work but we need to understand the potential for flooding and ensure people are safe. The technology in this area has moved on so much since the time these conditions were initially put in place.”
The council was initially looking at homes in Point Clear Bay near St Osyth after being approached by residents and local representatives in the summer but has decided to broaden its review to encompass all effected properties across the district. Its report is expected in the spring.
But is has been decided to fully review the situation and publish a report on the way forward, partly in light of a number of new appeal decisions around the country.
The assurance to residents was made by TDC Leader Peter Halliday following a meeting staged to discuss the issue.
About 25 residents met with Cllr Halliday, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Planning Carlo Guglielmi, the two Wards Members and TDC’s Head of Planning Services Catherine Bicknell
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