62-home mixed housing development at Land At Gaulby Road, Billesdon

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 62 dwellings, including 36 custom-build plots and 26 affordable homes, with access considered now.

“The site has extant outline planning permission for a very similar residential development but at a slightly lower density. The extant consent (ref: 23/01104/OUT) gives permission for 48 dwellings, comprising 30 custom self- build plots on the southern field and 18 affordable homes on the northern field. A 40-space parking area also forms part of the consented scheme, intended to provide a school drop off and pick-up area for the adjacent primary school.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 6.45-hectare site lies north and south of Gaulby Road, including farmland, a public footpath, woodland, allotments, a school and play area nearby.

“The site extends to approximately 6.45ha (with a further 1.73ha of surrounding land (blue lined) in the applicants control) and comprises land to the north and south of Gaulby Road. The southern part of the site is formed of two fields and is bound to the north and north-east by the built-up residential areas of Billesdon, to the south-west by an area of publicly accessible woodland, allotments and the former LCC depot beyond, and to the south by native hedgerows…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways found safe access and sufficient network capacity subject to conditions, while other consultees requested drainage, ecology, archaeology and infrastructure measures.

“These conditions require: the implementation of the access, visibility splays and offsite improvement works, in accordance with the submitted plans and prior to the first occupation of any dwelling; the submission of a Construction Traffic Management Plan; submission of drainage details; and submission of a Travel Plan. Draft conditions are included in this recommendation). Contributions are also requested towards Travel Packs, bus passes and the STARS scheme.”

“- The site access is near identical to what has already been accepted by the LHA in the last application. The narrower width for the northern access is accepted and both accesses meet LHDG standards. - Technical work on trip generation and junction capacity is accepted and the highway network is found to have capacity for the increased development - Comment about PROW alignment and surfacing (for REM)”

Officer report

What residents raised

Objections from 13 addresses covered the village’s character, traffic and safety, construction disruption, ecology, services, the public footpath and the lost school car park.

“Gaulby Road is incapable of taking the significant increase in traffic Safety concerns over traffic Car park proposal might have helped but has now gone Now the Fire and Rescue Station will add more traffic and safety issues…”

“Emergency vehicles have issues accessing – this will be worse with more traffic Worsening of pre-existing poor highway infrastructure Parked cars on Gaulby Road make it a one lane road, often congested in the vicinity of the school, and risky for pedestrians, vehicles often drive on pavements to get by, dangerous manoeuvres and road rage incidents outside the school – development (construction phase and additional cars post completion) will exacerbate this Traffic flow will…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent, Chris Green, spoke, and the committee questioned speakers and officers before commenting on the application.

The final decision

Planning permission was approved subject to a Section 106 agreement and the conditions in Appendix A.

“Against: Abstain: Therefore, Planning Permission was approved for the reasons set out in the report, subject to a Section 106 agreement and the conditions set out in Appendix A of the report. Any Urgent Business There was no urgent business considered. The meeting ended at 9.29pm.”

Minutes