39 affordable homes at Land To The West Side Of Preston Road, Coppull

What was proposed

The application proposed 39 two-storey affordable homes, with parking, landscaping and access from Chisnall Lane.

“Proposal: Full planning application for the erection of 39no. dwellinghouses (affordable homes) with associated parking, landscaping and vehicular access off Chisnall Lane.”

“The application seeks full planning permission for a housing development of 39no. dwellinghouses, including maisonettes, all of which are proposed as affordable units. The would be two storeys in height and would be a mix of semi-detached, terraced, and detached properties. Access to the site is proposed to the north from Chisnall Lane with an internal road running to the rear of the site and parking to the rear of the dwellings and maisonettes.”

Officer report

The site

The rectangular site lies west of Preston Road, beside homes, a primary school, open land and woodland, within the Green Belt.

“The application site is comprised of a rectangular parcel of land to the western side of Preston Road, which extends as a strip up to the junction of Chisnall Lane and Preston Road. To the north are residential properties situated along Chisnall Lane, to the east are residential properties and a primary school. To the south is open land, and to the west is an area of woodland.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council supported the scheme, while consultees generally raised no objections subject to conditions, contributions or further details.

“Coppull Parish Council: Advise that they support the application, as the site itself has previously had houses on it, is not considered green belt and affordable housing is needed in the village.”

“Biodiversity Net Gain and Ecology: No objections, conditions advised.”

Officer report

What people said

Sixty-eight objections raised concerns about Green Belt development, traffic, safety, infrastructure, ecology, flooding, contamination and community impacts.

“- The site is Green Belt / inappropriate development / not brownfield - Conflict with Local Plan and NPPF policies - Greenfield site - Overdevelopment of Coppull / multiple recent housing schemes already taking place / not supported by infrastructure - Would ccontribute to urban sprawl and ribbon development - Loss of open countryside and green space. - Site acts as a green buffer between Preston Road and Chisnall Hall woodland.”

“- Local services are under pressure - schools, a single GP surgery serving the village, dentists, nurseries, shops - Poor access to services means reliance on cars - 100% affordable housing in one location / lack of mixed and balanced community / social segregation and isolation / not in line with policy requiring diverse housing mix - Loss of rural character - Removal of natural buffer between settlements - Increased flooding / surface water run-off - Objections from…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The speakers included an objector, two ward councillors and the agent.

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alex Hilton, seconded by Councillor Sarah Ainsworth for the application to be refused, the vote was lost (4 for, 6 against). It was then proposed by Councillor Craige Southern, seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe and subsequently resolved: (6 for, 4 against) that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement.”

Minutes