21 zero-carbon homes at Land 1 Off Kidnappers Lane, Cheltenham

The site and surroundings

The 1.74-hectare site lies outside the Principal Urban Area beside Kidnappers Lane and is surrounded by housing, a nursery, school and Local Green Space.

“DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND PROPOSAL 1.1 The site comprises a 1.74 hectare, L-shaped parcel of land and is located to the south of Cheltenham outside of the Principal Urban Area (PUA), on the eastern side of Kidnappers Lane. The site wraps around the north and western boundaries of a site recently developed for housing by the applicant; outline planning permission (19/00334/OUT) for up to 25 dwellings having been granted on appeal in March 2020.”

“The remainder of the allocated site to the north of Kidnappers Lane is currently being developed for housing by Miller Homes; planning permission (20/01788/FUL) for 350 new homes having been granted on appeal in February 2024. A large parcel of land to the north, south and east of the site is designated Local Green Space. The applicant, Newland Homes Ltd, seeks full planning permission for a residential development of the site comprising 21no.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Ward Member opposed the proposal, an objector spoke for nearby residents, and the applicant’s representative supported the scheme.

What members debated

Members discussed housing need, affordable homes, zero-carbon design, biodiversity and tree loss, local facilities, two accesses, highways and off-site biodiversity offsetting.

“On balance feel that we have to look at the future of Cheltenham’s communities, for young people, and approve exemplary developments like this one. - A Member commented that there is good and bad to this application. It is great to see Newland Homes committing to 40% affordable housing, the majority of which is social housing. The big problem is the loss of the biodiversity, particularly the number of trees that will be lost.”

“It is disappointing that some of the unsatisfactory elements, such as the two entrances and loss of biodiversity, seem unnecessary. The affordable housing is also all grouped in one area rather than spread throughout the development. Whilst these elements seem unnecessary they are not strong enough reasons to reject the application.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillors voted seven for, three against and one abstention on a motion to approve subject to a legal agreement and a local-offsetting informative.

“Councillor Oliver put forwards a motion to accept the officer’s recommendation to approve subject to a S106 agreement and with the addition of an informative to request that biodiversity net gain units are bought locally. This was seconded by Councillor Wheeler.”

“The matter then went to the vote on the motion to approve subject to a S106 agreement and with the addition of an informative to request that biodiversity net gain units are bought locally in line with the officer recommendation:”

Minutes