60-home residential development at Land Parcel East Of Willersey Business Park, Willersey

What was proposed

The application proposed 60 homes with roads, access, parking, open space, landscaping and drainage works, including affordable and self-build homes.

“Residential development comprising 60 dwellings with associated roads, accesses, parking and servicing, open space, landscaping and drainage infrastructure at Land Parcel East of Willersey Business Park Willersey Gloucestershire…”

“PERMIT subject to no objection from Biodiversity Officer (and associated conditions), the completion of a S106 legal agreement covering matters such as affordable housing, self-build/custom build plots, Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring, and financial contributions to education and library services, highways and Willersey Parish Council…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was agricultural land east of Willersey Business Park, mostly within the development boundary and allocated for residential and employment uses.

“This application relates to an area of agricultural land lying to the east of Willersey Business Park/Industrial Estate, which is itself located on the northern edge of the village of Willersey. The application site measures approximately 3.35 hectares in size and is linear in form. It extends in a north-south direction. The southern boundary of the site adjoins the B4632, its eastern and northern boundaries adjoin agricultural fields.”

“The area of the site falling within Willersey Development Boundary and the area of land recently granted permission for employment development are allocated in the Local Plan for residential and employment purposes - W_7A/WIL_E1C - Land north of B4632 and east of employment estate (49 dwellings net and 1.97 hectares for B1, B2 and/or B8 use class employment land.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

A new vehicle access was permitted in 1979, and employment development on land west of the site was permitted in 2024.

“CD.6002 Construction of a new vehicular access. Permitted 1979”

“22/03534/FUL Employment development comprising new production, office, workshop and service buildings, covered storage areas, external storage areas for products and parts, parking areas and vehicular access to the B4632 road, landscaping and external works. Permitted 2024”

Officer report

Objections from the community

The Parish Council and objectors raised concerns about infrastructure, sewage, water, traffic, landscape, biodiversity, noise, open space and the loss of allotments.

“Loss of Allotments: The proposed development has resulted in the loss of much-used allotments for village residents. The Parish Council suggests the amenity space could be better utilised to replace these lost allotments. This loss of facility is a further erosion of community amenity which should be addressed.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A Parish Council speaker sought more recreation funding and stronger sewerage controls, while a ward member raised highway, footway and sewerage concerns.

What members discussed

Members discussed highways, biodiversity, solar panels, recreation, contributions, sewerage investigations, drainage conditions, noise and whether deferral was necessary.

“Members questions Members of the Committee asked a series of questions and noted that: • The requested highway contributions had been accepted. Biodiversity net gain calculations remained under discussion, although protected species and habitat issues had been resolved. • No solar panels were proposed as part of the application. • A Gloucestershire Highways site visit had been undertaken.”

Minutes

The votes

Members rejected a proposal to defer the application, then agreed a proposal to permit it.

“Councillor David Fowles proposed DEFERRING the application and Councillor Daryl Corps seconded the proposal. The proposal was put to the vote and rejected by the Committee. RESOLVED: to REJECT the proposal to defer the application.”

“Councillor Julia Judd proposed PERMITTING the application and Councillor Coleman seconded the proposal. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee RESOLVED: to PERMIT the application. 08.”

Minutes