33 affordable homes at Emerald Close, Mansfield

What was proposed

The application sought 33 affordable homes with an access road, infiltration basin, pumping station and landscaping.

“Site Address: Land To The South Of Debdale Lane, Adjacent Hollyhock Drive And Emerald Close, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Proposal: ERECTION OF 33 NO. AFFORDABLE DWELLINGS, ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROAD, INFILTRATION BASIN, PUMPING STATION AND LANDSCAPING Applicant: GEDA / East Midland Housing and The Queen Elizabeths Endowed School Trust…”

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 33 dwellings with an associated new access road, infiltration/attenuation features, a pumping station, and landscaping. The site is allocated within Policy H1p of the Mansfield District Local Plan (MDLP) for approximately 32 dwellings. As submitted, the proposal comprises 100% affordable housing and is subject to Homes England grant funding.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site lies beside Debdale Lane, Hollyhock Drive and Emerald Close, near woodland, with surface-water flooding risk along its northern boundary.

“While the site is generally unconstrained and located within Flood Zone 1, the northern boundary (adjacent to Debdale Lane) is at an elevated risk of surface water flooding (1 in 30 to 1 in 100 annual risk). There are several areas of archaeological interest to the east of the site and a blanket Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA) relating to the associated landscaped grounds of Debdale Hall (Thistle Hill Hall).”

“Dwellings would be arranged in a central perimeter block, with four dwellings fronting onto Debdale Lane, additional properties running along the western boundary, and a small number of bungalows along the southern boundary. The remainder of the site would be used for attenuation, a pumping station, and a landscaped buffer separating the development from the mature habitats immediately to the east.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for 31 homes and ancillary works was granted in 2006.

“2006/0222/NT | CONSTRUCTION OF 31NO DWELLINGS AND ANCILLARY WORKS Land At Little Debdale Lane Mansfield Nottinghamshire – Granted 2 nd June 2006.”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

Officers considered the allocated site, technical compliance and substantial affordable housing benefits outweighed the limited financial contributions.

“This application has sought planning permission for the erection of 33 dwellings that would be 100% affordable due to Homes England grant funding. The proposal would also see the construction of a pumping station, attenuation features and landscaping/habitat buffers. Furthermore, the scheme is allocated within Policy H1p for the delivery of approximately 32 dwellings, provided that a number of criteria are complied with, which have been assessed as being satisfied.”

“No objections have been received from statutory or technical consultees, and this report has concluded that the weight against granting planning permission due to the lack of full financial contributions would be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits of delivering housing particularly affordable housing and the scheme being otherwise technically compliant, acceptable in principle, and bringing forward a site allocation in an…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Statutory and technical consultees raised no objections overall, subject to conditions covering matters including ecology, drainage, highways and archaeology.

“There were no concerns regarding the principle policy requirements but much of the assessment has been deferred to the relevant consultees in terms of technical policy standards (ecology/highways etc).”

“No objection – This was subject to one pre-commencement condition relating to the submission of a surface water drainage scheme based on the submitted Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents objected or raised concerns about infrastructure, traffic, flooding, wildlife, amenity, the public right of way, housing mix and greenfield development.

“Affordable Housing & Housing Mix Indirect reference was made to the nature of the dwellings (Policy H3/H4) with particular concern about the overconcentration of affordable housing and stating that the aim of the Mansfield District Local Plan is to provide a mix of housing types. The base requirement is only for 10% affordable housing. Tenure type should be mixed.”

“Increased footfall along the Public Right of Way (PRoW) could also impact privacy, noise and amenity. This was coupled with concerns about increased antisocial behaviour. Reinstatement of kissing gate along the PROW. Noted that the impact of the development on the PROW needs to be fully considered before permission is granted.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors spoke under the committee’s public speaking procedures.

The committee vote

Councillor Hammersley proposed approval, Councillor Coxhead seconded it, and members voted seven in favour, none against and two abstentions.

“It was proposed by Councillor Hammersley and seconded by Councillor Coxhead that the application for the erection of 33no. affordable dwellings, associated access road, infiltration basin, pumping station and landscaping be approved.”

“On the motion being put to the vote the chair confirmed that the motion had been approved by 7 votes in favour, none against and 2 abstentions.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved subject to the report’s conditions and obligations, with the affordable housing scheme amended to require 100% affordable housing and an agreed tenure.

“Resolved – That the Application to erect 33no. affordable dwellings, associated access road, infiltration basin, pumping station and landscaping at Land to the South of Debdale Lane, adjacent hollyhock drive and emerald close be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and a planning obligation for the obligations outlined in the report (save that the Affordable Housing Scheme is to provide 100% affordable housing with the tenure to be agreed) and in terms…”

Minutes