17 homes at Land North Of Gobery Hill, Gobery Hill, Wingham

“The proposed development seeks planning permission for the erection of 17 residential dwellings, new vehicular access from Gobery Hill with associated parking and landscaping. The proposal includes for, among others:”

“30% affordable housing, with a mix of 2&3 bedroom dwellings; • A mixed housing typology of houses and bungalows with garages or car ports; • Areas of open space to the SE frontage of the site and ecological mitigation; • The retention of trees and hedgerows on site, where possible; • Parking (allocated) with visitor parking provided in line with standards; • Water and energy efficiency measures included…”

“The site is located on the northern side of Gobery Hill outside of but adjacent to the settlement boundary, which runs along the back gardens on the eastern side of Preston Hill. The site extends for approximately 150 metres in a northeast direction rising from Gobery Hill. The main section of the site is approximately 70 metres wide, with a further triangular section of land adjacent to Gobery Hill in addition to this.”

“The site is located in the countryside for the purposes of planning and falls within an area of archaeological potential. There are no other onerous land-based designations directly affecting the site. There are no listed buildings within the immediate setting of the site, nor is it located within a designated conservation area.”

“The former pedestrian crossing scheme was considered acceptable by KCC Highways who raised no objections and was recommended for approval by Officers. The further amendments to accord with the independent RSA forms an improvement to the former scheme.”

“Notwithstanding the previous officer recommendation to approve the application as previously presented, following the previous planning committee the scheme has been amended to increase pedestrian visibility at the crossing point on Preston Hill.”

“The original proposal was considered by officers and the original safety auditor and deemed acceptable. However, following planning committees resolution to seek an independent RSA to review the pedestrian crossing scheme, the applicant has made a slight revision to their proposed layout with regard to the measurement of visibility splays for pedestrians, to be in line with comments made by the second safety auditor.”

“WPC would also note that, even if the proposed visibility splay could be achieved by the trimming of the hedge, this would mean the viability of the proposal depends on the will of an individual resident to consistently maintain the hedge. This does not represent a sufficient level of certainty that the visibility splay can be maintained, and pedestrian/vehicle conflicts avoided.”

“RESOLVED: (a) That, subject to a Section 106 agreement to secure the required affordable housing, developer contributions, off-site reptile translocation, Biodiversity Net Gain provisions and monitoring and reporting of the hedge at Gobery Hill/Preston Hill, Application No DOV/24/00580 be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

“(b) That powers be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to settle drainage matters and any necessary planning conditions in line with the issues set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.”