120 dwellings at Ashfield Farm, Desford, Leicester

“Proposal: Application for approval of Reserved Matters (relating to Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale for the erection of 120 dwellings and associated works.) attached to planning permission 22/01227/OUT (APP/K2420/W/23/3320601) including discharge of conditions 5 (Ecological Constraints and Opportunities), 6 (Biodiversity details), 9 (Surface Water Scheme) and 11 (Site/Ground Investigation) of planning permission 22/01227/OUT.”

“Planning application description 2.1. The application seeks approval of Reserved Matters comprising appearance, landscaping, layout and scale further to outline permission ref 22/01227/OUT for…”

“The application site measures 5.35ha approximately and is located to the western edge of Desford within open countryside. The site is relatively flat and bordered by Kirkby Road to the south, agricultural fields to the west and residential properties within the established neighbourhoods of Desford to the north and east.”

“An existing football playing field and a play area is located to the east of the proposed site.”

“Relevant planning history 4.1. 22/01227/OUT - Outline Planning Application for residential development of up to 120 dwellings alongside associated site infrastructure and open space (All matters reserved except for access) – ALLOWED ON APPEAL”

“Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and S70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 require that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.”

“Subject to the imposition of conditions, as set out below, this reserved matters application is considered to be acceptable in planning terms and recommended to Members for approval.”

“Local Highway Authority – The acceptability of an adopted road layout is subject to a Section 38 agreement in accordance with the Highways Act (1980). For the site to be suitable for adoption, the internal layout must be designed fully in accordance with the LHDG. After reviewing Davidsons drawing number XXXX_100 Rev P03, the LHA advises that the internal access roads are currently still not suitable for adoption.”

“The applicant has provided revised hydraulic model which now includes the areas of all impermeable surfaces. The approach undertaken is acceptable to the LLFA and is based on planning policy guidance at the time the original planning application was submitted. Some plot levels are lower than the modelled top water level of the downstream drainage network. This is likely to result in private plot drainage flooding prior to the main infrastructure drainage.”

“Two bungalows have been introduced along the line of proposed units backing onto Cambridge Drive as part of the revisions to the scheme in order to help further alleviate overlooking and privacy concerns raised by local residents.”

“Concerns have also been raised about the location/layout of affordable dwellings on site i.e. being too concentrated and located within one are of the development (to the north of the site). This matter was flagged with the applicant and revised details were provided to dilute the concentration of affordable dwellings in one location and disperse the affordable units more evenly across the site.”

“It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Gibbens and…”

“(i) The application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report;”

“(ii) The Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration be granted authority to determine the final detail of planning conditions.”