33 dwellings at Land at Lichfield Down, Milton Keynes

What was proposed

The application proposed 33 homes, new highway accesses, parking, landscaping and associated works, including 22 market and 11 affordable dwellings.

“PLN/2025/1709 to secure Homes England funding to support delivery of the scheme. It is therefore now proposed to swap the 7 affordable dwellings in Block H with market dwellings, although these would still remain as supported living units. Whilst provided as market housing, the applicant could still seek to secure funding to enable their delivery for affordable housing purposes in addition to that required by planning policy.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is grassland with hedges and shrubs near a community centre, local shop, primary school, car park, parkland and sports ground.

“The site comprises an open area of grassland and some hedges/shrubs within Walnut Tree which is positioned to the south of Lichfield Down and north and west of Wadesmill Lane. The site abuts amenity trees and planting on the east side of Brickhill Street and extends around a car park located west of a community centre and local shop, and south of Heronsgate Primary School.”

“The site is mostly within Flood Zone 1 though part of Plot 1 and accesses onto Wadesmill Lane are within Flood Zone 2. Plots 5-9 are also within areas at high risk of surface water flooding events. The site is within a red risk area for Great Crested Newts (GCN).”

Officer report

Earlier applications and changes

Earlier proposals for apartments, offices and homes were withdrawn or refused, while this scheme had previously been resolved for approval before its affordable housing change.

“05/00510/FUL Erection of 9 dwellings, 38 apartments with ground floor office, and car parking off Wadesmill Lane Withdrawn…”

“05/01380/FUL Erection of 7 no. dwellings, 27 no. apartments and 3 no. ground floor offices with ancillary parking Refused 06/03/2006 and Appeal withdrawn…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the benefits of supported living and increased housing narrowly outweighed policy, design and housing-mix harms.

“Significant weight should be afforded to the benefits of providing supported living accommodation under Policy HN3 of Plan:MK and through moderate support under Policy HQH3 of the MKCP, even though some affordable housing provision has been removed since the previous resolution to grant permission.”

“As housing and supported living accommodation are not incompatible with the aims of the WNP and non-compliance with design policies could be difficult to substantiate in terms of harm arising, and affordable housing levels would still be policy compliant, the material considerations are found to be finely balanced in favour of approval and therefore it is recommended that planning permission is approved.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A community council representative and a member of the public spoke against the application, while the applicant’s representatives spoke in support.

What members debated

Members discussed the loss of community land, continuing design concerns, nursery demand, supported living, emergency issues and the weight of the earlier resolution.

“It was explained that McIntyre was a local charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. • She advised that McIntyre would operate and manage the 18 proposed supported living units and that the organisation had contributed to the design process. The Development Management Manager responded to issues raised regarding nursery provision and neighbourhood planning.”

“In the event that the s106 agreement is not completed within 28 days following the Committee’s resolution, the Head of Planning be delegated authority to extend the period for completion of the s106 agreement, or, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chairs, refuse permission. Members made the following comments in debate: • That many community sites originally safeguarded by the Development Corporation were gradually being lost.”

Minutes