Roundabout condition removal at Iveston Lane, Iveston

Earlier permissions and conditions

Permission for the housing development was granted in 2023, varied in 2025, and similar roundabout conditions were removed from two nearby schemes.

“Full planning permission (DM/21/03839/FPA) for the erection of 288 no. dwellings with associated access, landscaping and infrastructure was approved in April 2023. There have been various applications to discharge conditions (DM/23/01351/DRC, DM/23/01954/DRC, DM/23/02524/DRC, DM/23/02975/DRC, DM/24/00405/DRC, DM/24/01596/DRC, DM/24/01597/DRC and DM/24/02016/DRC) and to make non- material amendments (DM/24/01158/NMA, DM/24/01159/NMA, DM/24/01447/NMA, DM/24/03150/NMA and…”

“Notably, in the case of the Persimmon scheme, both Persimmon and Miller Homes appointed the same transport consultant, and therefore relied on the same evidence base and supporting justification. This evidence has already been accepted by the Local Planning Authority in respect of the Persimmon development and their application was approved in June 2026. Planning Policy…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because updated modelling showed acceptable capacity, no material highway capacity issue and no policy conflict.

“The application seeks the removal of condition no.10 which sought to deliver off-site highway improvement works at the junction of Delves Lane/Gloucester Road roundabout prior to the occupation of the 113th dwelling. The applicant has undertaken a further capacity assessment of the junction and found that it operates under capacity. 2. A total of 3 objections (including a local member) have been received, primarily raising concerns about the highway safety.”

“Taking all material considerations into account, it is not considered that the proposals would conflict with any of the relevant policies within the development plan or any other material considerations.”

Officer report

Highways and public responses

The Highway Authority raised no objection, while objectors and supporters discussed safety and preferred physical improvements to the junction.

“Highway Authority (Development Management) – The Local Highway Authority has reviewed additional technical information submitted in support of applications DM/26/00572/VOC and DM/26/01290/VOC, which seek to remove conditions requiring improvement works at the Delves Lane / Gloucester Road mini-roundabout. 24.”

“Highway safety • The roundabout has a history of accidents and near misses, raising ongoing highway safety concerns. • Traffic levels are expected to increase due to nearby developments, likely exacerbating existing issues. • The current layout results in poor driver compliance, with vehicles frequently over-running the painted central island and failing to treat the junction as a roundabout. The junction design is therefore considered inadequate in its current form.”

Officer report

Who spoke to members

The local member spoke against removal, while planning and highways officers explained the technical evidence and the condition’s capacity purpose.

Members discussed the evidence

Members debated accident data, driver behaviour, related delegated decisions, cumulative traffic modelling and whether safety concerns could justify retaining the condition.

“Councillor Potts questioned whether accident data remained as reliable as it had once been, noting that changes to police recording practices meant that many non-injury collisions were no longer formally recorded. He expressed concern that Members were being asked to place considerable weight upon statistics that may no longer present a complete picture of conditions on the ground.”

“The Planning Manager reminded Members that the original condition related specifically to highway capacity rather than safety. He advised that whilst concerns regarding driver behaviour and highway safety were understood, those matters did not form the basis upon which the condition had originally been imposed. He cautioned that Members should not seek to retain a capacity-based condition in order to address unrelated concerns regarding highway safety.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The Committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the officer report.

“Councillor Schulman moved the recommendation for approval, noting that the Committee were powerless as a delegated decision had approved another application for the same condition to be removed. Councillor Wilkes seconded the recommendation but reiterated his point that the applications should have been considered jointly.”

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions outlined in the report.”

Minutes