129 homes and community spaces at The Maples, Cirencester

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 129 homes, four community spaces, roads, parking, landscaping and related condition approvals.

“The proposal was Reserved Matters pursuant to outline permission 26/00054/OUT relating to approval of scale, layout, appearance and landscaping for 129 dwellings and four ground floor community use spaces with associated roads, parking and landscaping for Phase 2D associated with outline planning permission 16/00054/OUT. Discharge of outline planning permission conditions 16 (SuDS Schemes for each…”

Minutes

The site and surroundings

The site covers about 3.82 hectares within the wider strategic development, beside green infrastructure, existing homes, a listed building, village streets and a rural link.

“This application for reserved matters approval relates to a parcel of land that forms part of the wider allocated strategic site referred to as Land South of Chesterton and more recently as The Steadings. Sub phase 2D is located in the eastern part of the main site bounded by parcels 2A to C on its eastern side (including the Eastern Gateway into the development), when accessed from the Spratsgate Lane entrance, via the primary village street.”

“Immediately to the north of this parcel is a Primary Green Infrastructure Area (PGIA) within the site boundary and Alexander Drive and the associated residential area beyond. To the west, outside of the application site and site boundary, is The Cranhams, a Grade II listed building.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Outline permission for the wider development was granted in 2019, followed by design codes and reserved matters approvals for earlier infrastructure and housing phases.

“On the 3 rd April 2019, Cotswold District Council (CDC) granted outline planning permission (OPP) for a mixed-use development on the Strategic Site south of Chesterton, as per Local Plan Policy S2 (16/00054/OUT). As above, that Development is now referred to as The Steadings, and includes up to 2,350 new homes. The OPP was granted subject to 69 conditions and following the completion of two section 106 agreements; i.e.”

“In brief, the DDCs are required to prescribe, at a greater level of resolution than the SWDC, how agreed urban design principles are to be applied within the sub-area/phase in question. Subsequent Reserved Matters Applications (RMAs) are required to accord with the relevant approved DDC and the SWDC unless an alternative solution involving outstanding innovative design is proposed.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the revised details were considered satisfactory, consistent with the outline permission and design codes, with conditions controlling design quality and delivery.

“The proposals have been subject to an extensive and collaborative pre- application and application process via the exisitg planning performance agreement and significant progress has been made by officers in negotiating a number of improvements to the proposed scheme, including the layout of the development, the form, design and detailing of various buildings. The proposed energy strategy is consistent with the Outline Framework which…”

“Furthermore, the revised suite of house types are much improved in respect of a suitable response to the requirements of the OPF and SWDC but the ‘devil’ will still be in the detail in respect of ensuring that design details are achieved consistently across the sub phase and in certain instances, on both front and rear elevations..”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent told members that the scheme would provide homes, affordable housing, green spaces, local materials, landmark buildings and low-carbon measures.

The committee’s decision

The committee agreed to permit the application, subject to amended conditions proposed during the meeting.

“Councillor David Fowles proposed PERMITTING the application subject to amended conditions and Councillor Paul Evans seconded the proposal. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee RESOLVED: to PERMIT the application. Break 17:20 – 17:30”

Minutes