289 homes at Land to the west of Thurnscoe Bridge Lane, Thurnscoe

The site

The site was about 14 hectares of greenfield agricultural land west of Thurnscoe Bridge Lane, with public rights of way and surrounding varied uses.

“The application relates to greenfield agricultural land which extends to approximately 14Ha. It is located to the West of Thurnscoe Bridge Lane and South of Thurnscoe. Existing vehicular Application site and the majority of allocation HS52 Thurnscoe Bridge Lane Area for BNG Eastern parcel of HS52 Northwestern parcel of HS52”

Officer report

Earlier applications and changes

The proposal followed pre-application advice and an environmental screening opinion, and was reduced from 296 to 289 homes after requested amendments.

“The application has been submitted on the back of a pre-application enquiry for a residential development of up to 340 houses (Ref: 2024\ENQ\00177) and an EIA screening opinion for residential development, open space, access and associated landscaping (Ref: 2024\ENQ\00363).”

“The application was originally for 296 dwellings, however, following a number of requested amendments from consultees, predominantly relating to the layout of the scheme, the number of dwellings has been reduced to 289. A re-consultation exercise also took place following the receipt of the amended plans and the change in application description.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the allocated housing development sustainable, with its effects on homes, design, highways, biodiversity and other matters manageable through conditions and agreements.

“In accordance with Paragraph 11 of the NPPF (2023) the proposal is considered in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development. The proposal is considered to be located within a sustainable location on an allocated housing site suitable for residential development in the Local Plan and this weighs considerably in favour of the application.”

“All other material planning considerations have been fully explored by the appropriate consultees who have raised no objections to the proposal subject to conditions or S106 contributions and holistically this weighs moderately in favour of the application.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, contributions or advice, while education sought secondary-school funding and transport bodies sought travel contributions.

“Education – sufficient primary school places but insufficient Secondary school places, as such, a contribution of £624k is required.”

“Active Travel England – No objections subject to standing advice…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Objections concerned local services, traffic, air quality, ecology, farmland loss, flooding, housing character, sewerage, public transport, rifle-club noise and privacy.

“Neighbour notification letters were sent to 480 surrounding properties; site notices were placed nearby and a press notice placed in a local newspaper. 2 consultations took place, one when the application was originally validated and one following amendments to the scheme including the reduction in unit numbers.”

“- Insufficient infrastructure/amenities/services in the Local area - Highway Safety – Thurnscoe Bridge Lane is a busy/congested road - Air quality issues - Negative impact on the site’s ecology and biodiversity including protected species - Loss of green space/farmland - The site floods during heavy rainfall - Proposed housing does not reflect the character and appearance of the surrounding housing stock.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative of the applicant spoke in favour of approval, while another speaker spoke against the officer recommendation.

The committee’s decision

Members approved the application in line with the officer recommendation, with changes to highway conditions, added drainage conditions and required legal agreements.

“RESOLVED that Members approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation and subject to alterations to conditions 2 and 6 for highway reasons, the addition of drainage conditions requested by Yorkshire Water, the signing of the S106, and the agreement of the deed of easement.”

Minutes