45 homes at Land At (Os 9289 4819) Worcester Road, Drakes Broughton

What was proposed

An outline Phase 2 scheme proposed up to 45 homes, including 18 affordable homes, with access decided and other matters reserved.

“The application proposes the erection of up to 45 dwellings. The application is in outline form with appearance, scale, layout and landscaping to be reserved for future consideration. Access is proposed to be determined at outline stage and is proposed to be taken directly off the Worcester Road via the approved access for Phase 1.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 2.63-hectare site was grassland with hedgerows and woodland, beside existing homes and an approved housing phase, outside the settlement boundary.

“The application relates to a circa 2.63ha parcel of land off Worcester Road to the south of Drakes Broughton. The site is situated to the west of Brickyard Lane and to the east of a site which benefits from a recent permission for up to 45 dwellings, which is referred to as ‘Phase 1’ (Ref: W/24/01485/OUT). It is proposed that the current application site would be accessed off the B4084 via the approved access for Phase 1.”

“The site is an irregular shape and currently laid to grass with hedgerows and woodland defining the whole of its eastern, and part of its southern boundary. To the north are existing residential properties which back onto the site. The site is not subject to any formal or informal landscape designations and is located entirely within Flood Zone 1.”

Officer report

Objections from the public

Fifteen objections raised concerns including sewage capacity, drainage, infrastructure, highway safety, noise, village character and biodiversity.

“The material planning objections raised have been summarised by the case officer to include:”

“Ongoing sewage capacity issues. • Too much development in Drakes Broughton. • Impact on existing drainage infrastructure. • The proposal is contrary to the SWDPR and there is a 5-years housing land supply. • Lack of infrastructure in the village. • Adverse impact on neighbouring property. • Highway safety concerns. • Increased noise and light pollution. • The development is out of character with the village. • Adverse impact on biodiversity.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A parish council representative and a resident spoke against approval, while the agent spoke in support.

What members debated

Members questioned the development boundary, housing supply, the two-phase approach, cumulative traffic, biodiversity, design, drainage and infrastructure capacity.

“Following a question from Councillor R C Adams as to why when we had the 20% buffer, 5 year housing land supply, this was outside the development boundary and also with the number of houses coming forward in Drakes Broughton inside the boundary why were we supporting the application.”

“Councillor E J Kearsey also asked if something could be incorporated regarding the drainage although conditioned the fact was that the infrastructure was still not there not just for this development but for the others already approved.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee refused the application because it was outside the development boundary, would urbanise open countryside, harm local character and lacked a completed legal agreement.

“That this application be refused for the following reasons: that it is contrary to SWDPR 03 in that it is located outside the development boundary and the proposal does not meet any of the exceptions allowed in the SWDPR.”

“Further that due to its scale and location which is outside of the defined village, It would result in an urbanising encroachment into the open countryside eroding the character of the local area, it would be contrary to policies SWDPR 34 and SWDPR 28 in terms of failing to integrate into the area..”

Minutes