Three self-build dwellings at Land At Bickers End Blyford Lane Wenhaston With Mells Hamlet Halesworth

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for three self-build homes with garages, parking and associated works, with only access decided at this stage.

“DC/24/3444/OUTLocation Land At Bickers End Blyford Lane Wenhaston With Mells Hamlet Halesworth Suffolk IP19 9BU Statutory determination date Agreed extension date 3 December 2024 15 January 2025 Application typeOutline Application ApplicantAldridge Developments Partnership ParishWenhaston ProposalOutline Application (with access unreserved) for a development to comprise three 'self-build' dwellings with associated garages, car parking and other associated works Case…”

“Therefore, it has not been deemed to take any enforcement action until this application has been decided 2.16This enforcement history is detailed to provide members with the context, but the proposal must be assessed on its merit. Any tree felling, or enforcement matters should not influence the consideration of this proposal for three dwellings – which must be assessed against the Development Plan.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The undeveloped site is outside the settlement boundary, beside Blyford Lane, near listed buildings, flood-prone land and a registered common.

“2.Site Description 2.1.The site falls outside of any settlement boundary and therefore is considered within the countryside. The application site is on the west side of Blyford Lane and comprises of an undeveloped piece of land with a tall boundary hedge along the street boundary. The ground level of the application site is higher than the street level, and the existing access to the field is unpaved.”

“2.6.The field was historically covered with trees and vegetation, however, this has been removed in recent years and the field opened up. The site backs onto Bickers End, a residential dwelling to the west and a relatively new track has been created from Blyford Lane to Bickers End using the existing dropped kerb which serves a small garage building within the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because they considered the site a countryside cluster, the proposal policy-compliant overall, and its benefits greater than identified harms.

“2020 would have greater weight over inconsistent policies which were adopted in the neighbourhood plan in 2018. 7.11.Policy SCLP5.3 (Housing Development in the Countryside) limits new residential development outside of defined settlement boundaries unless, with relevance to this application, such development would accord with the provisions of Policy SCLP5.4 (Housing in Clusters in the Countryside).”

“Clusters' are not drawn or identified in the Local Plan however the starting point for consideration of whether the proposal would be supported by Policy SCLP5.4 is to consider whether the site lies within a 'cluster'.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways and the Lead Local Flood Authority raised no objection, while Anglian Water objected to foul network connections because of capacity and pollution risks.

“East Suffolk Landscape Team29 October 202413 November 2024 Summary of comments: Comments included within officers considerations. ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received Lead Local Flood Authority01 September 202519 September 2025 Summary of comments: “Suffolk County Council, as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), have reviewed application Ref: DC/24/3444/OUT and the following submitted document, and we recommend approval of this application” ConsulteeDate consultedDate…”

“Once a SPOC has been identified and a strategy has been agreed with Anglian Water, we would expect the applicant to submit this PPE as part of their submitted documents for this application, we will the review and respond appropriately. Anglian Water is committed to supporting sustainable growth and in doing so we must continue to meet the statutory obligations whilst balancing factors such as climate change as environmental protection.”

Officer report

What people said

Thirty-two objections cited access, flooding, overbearing homes, ecology, drainage, traffic, privacy, lighting, parking and countryside policy; seven representations supported the proposal.

“4.Consultees Third Party Representations 32 representations of Objection raising the following material planning considerations (inter alia): • New access hazardous to road users • New houses will be overbearing and overlook neighbouring properties out of character with the area • The owner has destroyed the natural habitat which existed on site before it was removed • The development would increase water runoff from the site onto Blyford Lane • The proposal does not comply with…”

“Development has already begun by the clearance of the wooded area. • Bio-diversity Net Gain should be applied • Additional traffic from development • The main drains and sewers in Wenhaston are already at capacity.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, the parish council representative, the applicant’s agent and the ward member addressed heritage, access, flooding, sustainability, local families and housing need.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the outline application subject to conditions covering drainage, access, ecology, parking, self-build use and other reserved matters.

“RESOLVED That the application be approved subject to the following conditions. Conditions: 1.Time limit…”

“2.Details of "reserved matters" 3.Implementation condition 4.Approved plans 5.Ecological avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures 6.Lighting design strategy for biodiversity…”

Minutes