14 homes and access at Land Rear Of 53 Tetney Lane, Holton le Clay

What was proposed

The application proposed 14 homes, vehicle access and landscaping, comprising semi-detached and detached houses with central open space.

“Although initially submitted as a full application for 21 dwellings and associated infrastructure, the proposal now relates to 14 dwellings. This consists of 1 pair of semi-detached houses plus 12 detached houses. Five different detached house types are proposed, some with integral garages, some external. There are 4 x 5 bed units, 8 x 4 bed units and 2x 3 bed units (the pair of semis).”

“The existing access is to be upgraded to an adoptable standard and will continue into the site where it split directions forming a 'Y' shape. Detached houses will front the west side of one spur and the other 7 on the south side of the other spur. A large central open space (30% of the site) will feature to the centre and north part of the site. All properties will overlook the open space area.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was part of an agricultural field behind Tetney Lane, reached by an existing track and bordered by gardens, hedges and open fields.

“The application site is part of a larger agricultural field and lies to the rear of properties on Tetney Lane, towards the northeast part of the village. The site is accessed via an existing track between Nos. 53 and 59 Tetney Lane and the site widens behind frontage properties to the south. There's a hedge enclosing the site to the east. This hedge borders a track which leads to an Anglian Water recycling centre.”

“There are few features within the site other than vegetation to the east, west and southern boundaries and trees overhanging into the site, mainly to the access section between 53 and 59 Tetney Lane…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Parish Council objected, while the highway, conservation, ecology and police consultees raised no objection subject to requirements; the NHS sought a contribution.

“PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL - Object - Conflict with local plan - Development too high - Inadequate access - Inadequate parking provision - Increase danger of flooding - Increase in traffic - Increase of pollution - Loss of privacy - Noise nuisance - Over development - Strain on existing community facilities.”

“LCC as Highway Authority /Lead Local Flooding Authority - No objection. Reasoning given. This is subject to various conditions and a request for contribution of £14448 towards supplying each new house with a year-long bus pass for a single year. Conditions relate to the provision of • A tactile crossing near Pinfold Lane, enabling inclusive mobility access along the main pedestrian desire line toward the Co-op and wider village services.”

Officer report

What people said

Sixty-nine objection letters raised concerns including rural character, access, flooding, traffic, drainage, wildlife, pollution, privacy, noise and local services; one letter supported housing.

“- Affect local ecology - Close to adjoining properties - Conflict with local plan - Inadequate access - Increase danger of flooding - Increase in traffic - Information missing from plans - Not enough info given on application - Obtrusive by design - Out of keeping with character of area - Over development - Strain on existing community facilities - Traffic or Highways - General dislike of proposal - Overlooking - Inadequate public transport provisions - Development too high…”

“- Tetney Lane already experiences significant flooding, with drainage systems unable to manage heavy rainfall and runoff from the elevated road, leading to frequent garden flooding. Any new development would place further strain on the sewage infrastructure, worsening conditions for current residents and potentially causing similar issues within the proposed site. Various technical concerns raised.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The architect spoke in support, a speaker objected, a Parish Council representative spoke, and the Ward Member addressed the committee.

What members debated

Members discussed sewerage, access, emergency and refuse vehicles, drainage, the Neighbourhood Plan, road adoption, shared surfaces, transport and housing supply.

“- Members queried the width of the access road with regards to refuse collection and emergency vehicle access. In response, [the architect] explained that the access would be constructed to adoptable standards with a deliberately narrowed section functioning as a traffic calming feature around the walnut tree. It was confirmed that amendments had been made to address initial concerns raised by the fire service and that the proposal now complied with these requirements.”

“PL 6 The Development Management Lead Officer acknowledged the importance of neighbourhood plans but advised that in this case, the NDP did not allocate housing sites and instead reflected the adopted Local Plan.”

Minutes

The votes

Members rejected a proposed site visit by 5 votes to 6, with 1 abstention, then approved the application by 7 votes to 3, with 2 abstentions.

“Following which, a proposal to defer the application to carry out a site visit was proposed and seconded.”

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal to defer the application to carry out a site visit was refused.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved subject to conditions, including an additional condition concerning adoption of the internal road.

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal for approval in line with the officer recommendation with the addition of a condition relating to the adoption of the internal road, was carried.”

“That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes