Two dwellings at 39 Parish Hill, Bournheath

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for two detached four-bedroom dwellings with double garages, with landscaping reserved for later approval.

“Chapel Hill Homes Ltd Outline planning permission for two dwellings (landscaping reserved)”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an open field in the Green Belt, beside Bournheath’s settlement edge, with a gated Parish Hill access and mature roadside hedgerow.

“Site Description The application site is an open, undeveloped field which has an existing gated access onto Parish Hill. The site lies within the Green Belt and is positioned directly to the north- west edge of the settlement boundary of Bournheath. The gradient of the land declines towards the east and south of the site. The field is enclosed with a mature hedgerow that fronts the road.”

“Proposal The proposal is for the construction of two detached dwellings on the site. The dwellings would have 4 bedrooms and a detached double garage would be positioned in the front garden area of each dwelling. The properties would front Parish Hill. The house plots are generous and evenly spaced within the site. The hedgerow is proposed to be maintained as part of the development with the removal of some hedgerow to provide access arrangements for each plot.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and water management raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council objected on Green Belt, traffic, flooding and sustainability grounds.

“North Worcestershire Water Management • The site falls within flood zone 1. No objection on flood risk or drainage grounds, subject to conditions.”

“Bournheath Parish Council Object to the outline application for residential development of two dwellings based upon the following four material planning considerations. • Inappropriate development of the Green Belt • Traffic generation and road safety • Flood risk • Sustainability…”

Officer report

Local objections

Seven objections raised concerns about Green Belt harm, design, overlooking, traffic, parking, limited services, wildlife, flooding, noise and air quality.

“Plan reference 25/00055/OUT • No pavements outside of the site. Concern about children and young people using the road. • Concern about car parking arrangements. • Limited services close by, reliance on vehicle to get to services. • Impact on wildlife. • Flooding issues in the area because of the culverted watercourse to the south of the application site. • Concerns in respect to noise and air quality.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A neighbour spoke against the application and the applicant addressed the committee.

What members discussed

Members discussed the call-in, Green Belt status, housing variety, construction access, the culvert and the safeguards in the proposed conditions.

“Members queried whether there would be the opportunity to consult with local residents to ascertain the best way to access the site during construction This information could be included in the Construction Management Plan. Officers confirmed that they could impose a lorry routing schedule as part of the conditions and would include that if the application was agreed.”

“The subject of the nearby culvert was raised by Members. It was queried as to whether there was the potential for the owners of the dwellings to maintain the culvert once the implementation had commenced. Officers explained that the culvert was not within the boundary of the proposed site and therefore was not part of the application being considered at this meeting.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to the listed conditions, including an extra construction-management requirement and an updated condition four.

“RESOLVED that Planning Permission be granted, subject to the Conditions as detailed on pages 116 - 119 of the main agenda pack (including the extra bullet point for condition 11 in respect of the Construction Management Plan) and the updated condition four as detailed in the Committee update.”

Minutes