Up to 53 homes at Land North East Of Grove Road, Preston

The site and surroundings

The 3.54-hectare arable field adjoins Preston Grange, lies outside Preston’s settlement boundary and forms part of a wider housing allocation.

“The Site and Proposal 1.1 The application site comprises a roughly rectangular parcel of land which measures approximately 3.54 hectares, currently used as an arable agricultural field, bounded by hedgerows with an access track, hardstanding and an area of storage to the south west. The site is located to the north of the Preston Grange housing estate to the north of Grove Road.”

“The application site is located outside of but adjoining the settlement confines of Preston to the northern edge of the village. Preston is identified as a larger village within the Local Plan which comprises settlements that have limited services for residents where windfall development would be acceptable in principle in or adjoining the village.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the allocated-site development acceptable because its design, landscape treatment, housing, highways and infrastructure arrangements met policy requirements.

“Conclusion 3.1 As outlined above, the site is allocated for residential development in the adopted local plan alongside two adjacent smaller parcels of land under Policy SAP48 and the principle of residential development is therefore considered acceptable.”

“The application satisfactorily addresses the applicable criteria of Policy SAP48 including securing suitable solutions to the highway and pedestrian connectivity requirements of the policy through the provision of applicable S106 clauses and the approved plans. 30% affordable housing would be secured, alongside the required contributions to education, social, health and community infrastructure.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The Senior Planner explained the proposal and updates, while committee members questioned footpaths, affordable housing, traffic analysis and access arrangements.

Members’ discussion

Members generally welcomed the scheme but sought reassurance about pedestrian connections, affordable housing, highway evidence and whether deliveries were included in traffic analysis.

“Councillor D G Cronk questioned whether the junction analysis for morning and afternoon/evening travel had included deliveries. He also raised concerns that if pedestrian connections were poor, residents would resort to using vehicles. The Senior Planner understood that KCC Highways would not only have considered the traffic movements of future residents but also the movements of other vehicles (like deliveries) serving the site.”

“Councillor J S Back noted that the site was allocated for development, and no objections had been received from Canterbury City and Preston Parish Councils. The scheme would deliver affordable housing and going against KCC Highways’ advice, as the statutory consultee, was futile. He queried whether the proposed mix of affordable housing was consistent with the needs identified by the Council’s housing team.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application subject to a Section 106 agreement securing the heads of terms and listed conditions.

“RESOLVED: (a) That, subject to a Section 106 agreement to secure the heads of terms, Application No DOV/24/01331 be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

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

Minutes

The final decision

Permission was granted for the outline development, with reserved matters, highways, drainage, contamination, ecology, landscaping and other safeguards required.

“(v) Landscaping details provided at Reserved Matters stage to include provision of 2 new trees per dwelling;”

“(xvii) Reserved Matters to demonstrate surface water drainage can be accommodated;”

Minutes