Single detached dwelling at 41 Bowling Green Road, Cirencester

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for one detached dwelling and garage, with access decided now and other details reserved for later.

“Synopsis 2.1 The application seeks outline planning permission with all matters reserved (except access) for a single detached dwelling and garage. Access is submitted in detail.”

“Description of the Proposal 4.1 The application seeks Outline permission with all matters reserved (except access) for a single detached dwelling and garage. Access is submitted in detail.”

Officer report

The site

The unused 0.3-hectare site lies outside the settlement boundary between two properties and is accessed from a single-track rural lane.

“Site Description and Context 3.1 The site is located outside of Colchester settlement boundary. The site is not located within a Conservation Area and no Listed Buildings will be affected.”

“The site is accessed from Church Lane, a single track rural lane, and lies between two existing properties (that sit within large plots). There is a grassed verge and trees to the front boundary. Boundaries to the neighbouring properties is a mix of fencing and trees/planting.”

Officer report

Application background

There was no relevant planning history, and the application was referred because the applicant was related to a senior council planning manager.

“DC0901MWeV9.9 1.0 Reason for Referral to the Planning Committee 1.1 This application is referred to the Planning Committee because the applicant is the spouse of a Senior Manager within the Council Planning Department.”

“Relevant Planning History 6.1 There is no site history relevant to this application.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the housing benefit outweighed limited harm, with conditions and a unilateral undertaking securing mitigation and contributions.

“In applying the tilted balance, the proposal would deliver a modest but clear benefit through the provision of an additional dwelling, contributing to housing supply in a sustainable location that is reasonably well related to the settlement of Stanway and accessible to services and facilities.”

“It is therefore concluded that the proposal represents sustainable development. Subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions and the completion of a Unilateral Undertaking to secure the necessary mitigation and contributions, the application is recommended for approval.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council had no objection, while consultees raised no objection subject to conditions covering environmental, tree, archaeological, drainage, contamination and highway matters.

“Environmental Protection: No objection subject to conditions to control working hours (demolition and construction), the provision of EV charging, and details of foul water drainage.”

“Arboricultural Officer: Following the submission of further information (updated Tree Survey and submission of Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Tree Protection Plan, Arboricultural Method Statement, and Tree Constraints Plan) the required Arboricultural standards are now met and the majority of previous concerns have been addressed.”

Officer report

What neighbours said

Neighbours raised concerns about harm to properties, noise, vehicle movements, an overbearing building, overdevelopment and drainage.

“Representations from Notified Parties 11.1 The application resulted in a number of notifications to interested third parties including neighbouring properties. The full text of all of the representations received is available to view on the Council’s website. However, a summary of the material considerations is given below.”

“DC0901MWeV9.9 • Overbearing/ Intrusive creating dominant and oppressive relationship with neighbouring properties and not in keeping with the established large houses in the lane • Overdevelopment of the site, with a cramped form of development • The site and adjoining area does not consist of any drainage in the lane, which would impact the already flooded lane at certain times of the year…”

Officer report

Main planning issues

Officers found the access acceptable and considered that detailed design, amenity and landscaping could be addressed through reserved matters and conditions.

“The application is submitted in outline form with scale, layout, appearance and landscaping all reserved matters for detailed consideration in later application(s). The application does not, therefore, include detailed proposals. The consideration of design and layout at outline stage considers the capacity of the site and spatial principles only.”

“Indicative plans have been submitted which enable an assessment of general principles in terms of layout and design. The proposed quantum of development being a single dwelling is considered to be small scale.”

Officer report

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to conditions and completion of a section 106 unilateral undertaking covering specified payments and monitoring.

“Recommendation to the Committee 19.1 The Officer recommendation to the Committee is for:”

“APPROVAL of planning permission subject to the completion of a section 106 (RAMS payment, Communities and parks and recreation contributions, BNG monitoring) delegated to the Service Director for Planning, Sustainability and Climate Change and subject the following conditions (with delegated authority to make any non-material changes to the recommended conditions):”

Officer report

The decision

“:that the application be approved as per Officer recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in the report and completion of a Unilateral Undertaking under s.106 of the Act. 1181”

Minutes, 9 Jul 2026