Up to five homes at Land At OS, Dagnell End Road, Redditch

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for the erection of up to five dwellings.

“Councillor A Bailes has requested that this application be considered by Planning Committee rather than being determined under delegated powers.”

“RECOMMENDATION: That the planning in principle stage be GRANTED”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.3-hectare paddock is in the Green Belt outside Alvechurch, with open fields nearby and a mainly open rural character.

“The site comprises a field measuring 0.3 hectares and is located within the Green Belt, outside the Alvechurch Village settlement as defined on the Bromsgrove District Plan Policies Map.”

“To the north of the application site lies open fields, an access track lies immediately adjacent to the application site to the east, with open fields beyond that. Having regard to the modest scale and location of the existing development, the site has a predominately open and rural character.”

Officer report

Planning history and context

There was no relevant planning history, while a nearby parcel had permission on appeal for 214 homes and supporting infrastructure.

“Relevant Planning History No relevant planning history.”

“There is a sporadic run of development on Dagnell End Road, approximately 257 metres to the west. On the other side of Dagnell End Road opposite the site entrance is The Abbey Hotel, and to the west of the Abbey Hotel lies a parcel of land which was subject of an allowed appeal for 214 homes and supporting infrastructure (Appeal Ref: APP/Q1825/W/24/3350905).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended granting permission in principle because the site was assessed as grey belt, sustainable, and suitable for the proposed amount of housing.

“Conclusion on Green Belt Matters In conclusion, it is considered that the site is Grey Belt and would meet the Paragraph 155 requirements and thus the proposal should not be regarded as inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework.”

“The proposals would not need to meet the 'Golden Rules' requirements set out in criterion (d) of the NPPF because the application would not be categorised as 'major' development having regards to the definition of 'major development' set out in Annex 2: Glossary on page 75 of the NPPF.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no objection, water management requested detailed drainage at the next stage, and no public representations were initially received.

“North Worcestershire Water Management • The proposed development site is situated within the catchment of the River Arrow. The site comprises an area of 0.3 ha, with current land use noted as paddock land. The site falls within Flood Zone 1 and it is not considered that there is any significant fluvial flood risk to the site.”

“While in principle I have no issues with the proposed development from a flood risk perspective, no drainage details have been provided with this application. I would therefore suggest the applicant at the technical matters stage of the application include a comprehensive drainage strategy to avoid the need for conditions. This should be in the form of a drainage plan and should include the means to manage surface water from the site appropriately.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A Democratic Services Officer read an opposition statement from the parish council chairman, and Councillor A. Bailes spoke against the application as ward councillor.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed flood risk, drainage, the lack of a continuous footpath, the later design stage and the site’s sustainable location.

“Members then debated the application. From the comments and questions by members of the Committee, the following responses were made, and issues highlighted: • North Worcestershire Water Management (NWWM) had acknowledged that the site was within the catchment of the River Arrow, however had categorised it as Flood Zone 1, which meant there was no significant fluvial flood risk to the site.”

“Officers had concluded that the site was in a sustainable location due to its proximity to Redditch town centre and an urban sprawl.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted to grant planning permission after considering the information and other material considerations.

“RESOLVED that having had regard to all the information before them and all other material considerations that planning permission be granted.”

Minutes