54 affordable homes at Lynton Fields, Quedgeley, Gloucester

What was proposed

The application proposed 54 wholly affordable homes, open space and infrastructure, including houses, flats and accessible homes.

“Proposal: Full Planning Application for 54 affordable dwellings open space and site infrastructure.”

“The application site is located to the south-west of Naas Lane. The site is currently vacant and was previously used for chicken farming. The area is previously developed land with areas of hardstanding in the northern section with an existing access into the site off Naas Lane. Naas Lane forms the northern boundary of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications concerned entrance gates, walls, workshop works, access gateways and fencing, and were granted between 1995 and 2014.

“RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY 95/00318/FUL - Erection of new entrance gates and walls to existing access - granted 28.6.1995”

“14/00024/FUL - Creation of new access gateway and wall, retrospective fencing to compound and fencing around field – granted 17.02.2014”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the proposal acceptable and recommended permission because it met relevant requirements for design, highways, neighbour amenity and the local area.

“Economic considerations 7.1 The construction phase would support employment opportunities and therefore the proposal would have some economic benefit. Further, paragraph 3.1.9 of the JCS identifies that it is important to ensure that sufficient housing is made available to support the delivery of employment and job growth.”

“Conclusion 7.2 This application has been considered in the context of the policies and guidance referred to above. The proposal is consistent with those policies and guidance in terms of design, materials, highway safety implications, impact upon the amenity of any neighbours and the local area; it is considered that the proposal is acceptable and accordingly it is recommended that planning permission be granted.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions or contributions, while the town council raised concerns about drainage, foul water, play space and street scenes.

“Quedgeley Town Council (QTC) • Supportive of Highways comments. • 1m deep surface water storage tank. It is not possible to maintain the structure as shown. • Alternative proposal required. • Suggest upsized SWS throughout the development + increased size of open drainage basin. • Foul drainage – routing of proposed rising main should be detailed.”

“Drainage Officer Overall, the surface water drainage proposals are acceptable, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An agent supported the application, while a local resident opposed it, raising concerns about earlier applications, highways, lighting, the pumping station and residential impact.

What members debated

Members discussed housing need, traffic, green space, drainage, the pumping station, affordable housing mix, play space, trees, rights of way and notification.

“Councillor A. Chambers expressed concerns around overdevelopment. He opposed the lack of green space on the plot itself and asserted that the road infrastructure would be inadequate to cope with the increased traffic. He highlighted Gloucester’s shortage of 4- and 5-bedroom houses and queried why there were so few 4 bedroom houses and only one 5 bedroom house planned within the scheme. He restated his concerns regarding the potential smell from the pumping station.”

“Councillor Harries responded to Councillor A. Chambers’ issue regarding green space by bringing attention to the decently sized green space in Booth Way which was in close proximity to the site. He stated that despite pumping stations sometimes having issues, they mostly functioned without any issues and were worth having, particularly for times of bad weather.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee resolved to delegate authority to grant permission, subject to the report’s conditions and completion of the specified legal agreements.

“The Chair proposed and Councillor Lewis seconded a motion to accept the Officer’s recommendation, which was to delegate authority to the Planning Development Manager to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the report and the completion of S106 agreements to secure the elements identified in the draft Heads of Terms.”

“RESOLVED that authority be delegated to the Planning Development Manager to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the report and the completion of S106 agreements to secure the elements identified in the draft Heads of Terms.”

Minutes