1 to 9 homes at Land West Of Eakring Road, Bilsthorpe

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for between one and nine homes, with detailed design reserved for a later technical consent stage.

“The application seeks Permission in Principle (the first of a 2-stage process) for residential development of a minimum of 1 dwelling and a maximum of 9 dwellings. No specific details are required at this stage.”

“As the proposal is for permission in principle, no site plan or elevational details are required to be submitted at this stage. Such details would be considered at the Technical Details Consent stage, if permission in principle is approved.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a 0.99-hectare agricultural field outside Bilsthorpe, beside sports facilities, a business park, a bus stop, a footpath and a bridleway.

“The application site comprises of rectangular parcel of agricultural land measuring 0.99 hectares in area, located to the west Eakring Road to the north of Bilsthorpe. The site currently comprises of flat agricultural land bounded by established hedges.”

“To the south lies Bilsthorpe Sports Ground, which includes a small cluster of single storey buildings fronting onto Eakring Road, with playing pitches beyond. The remainder of the site is surrounded by open countryside. Further to east of the site is Bilsthorpe Business Park, which comprises of industrial warehouse type buildings set back from Eakring Road, behind a wide tree belt.”

Officer report

Planning history

The report states that the site has no relevant planning history.

“The application site has no relevant history.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the location, residential use and amount of development were acceptable in principle under the planning balance.

“The application proposes between 1 and 9 dwellings. The site covers approximately 0.99 hectares. The general accepted density for new residential development within the district is 30 dwellings per hectare. The maximum number of dwellings on site would be 9, which equates to an approximate density of 9 dwellings per hectare.”

“In this instance, the site is considered to be within the open countryside outside the built-up village of Bilsthorpe. Officers are of the view that there are no impacts at this stage that would warrant refusal when applying the tilted balance in accordance with paragraph 11(d) of the NPPF, which favours the presumption in favour of sustainable development unless there are convincing issues which would warrant refusal.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council raised infrastructure concerns, highways found up to nine homes acceptable in principle, and the rights of way team objected at this stage.

“Bilsthorpe Parish Council – raised concerns relating to additional pressure any development would have on the facilities and infrastructure in the area.”

“Following a review of the submitted information, it is considered that the principle of providing up to nine residential dwellings at this location is acceptable. Should Permission in Principle be granted, the applicant should refer to the Nottinghamshire Highway Design Guide for access design.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Members heard a presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, including photographs and plans of the proposed development.

Members’ concerns

Members questioned the need to use agricultural land, the lack of a footpath along the site and the risk of ribbon development.

“Members considered the application, and it was commented that the use of agricultural land for housing development was not necessary. Members were also concerned that there was no footpath running along the site and a ribbon effect of development would start if this was approved which was considered inappropriate to the village.”

Minutes

The vote

The approval motion was lost, with four votes for, eight against and one abstention.

“A vote was taken and lost for Approval, with 4 votes For, 8 votes Against and 1 Abstention.”

Minutes