Up to 190 homes at Ollerton Road, Edwinstowe

The site and surroundings

The site covers 8.41 hectares within the former colliery’s allocated mixed-use development, near protected ecological areas and in a low-risk flood zone.

“The Site 1.1 Thoresby Colliery closed in July 2015 and the wider site extends to approximately 150.3ha, comprising the former pit yard area, spoil heaps and some arable fields fronting the A6075 Ollerton Road to the south. The colliery site lies to the north east of the settlement of Edwinstowe and is primarily accessed from the A6075 Ollerton Road via the existing colliery access road.”

“Land immediately to the south forms Phase 6B & 6C (a residential phase with an application lodged but not yet determined) and the employment phase, which is to come forward last. To the north and east of the wider site is the Birklands and Bilhaugh Special Area of Conservation and Special Sites of Scientific Interest that lie within the adjacent Special Area of Conservation (Birklands and Bilhaugh; Birklands West and Ollerton Corner).”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The wider redevelopment already had outline permission for housing and employment, with several residential phases and play areas approved or under consideration.

“Relevant Planning History 2.1 16/02173/OUTM – Outline planning permission for a residential development up to 800 dwellings, a strategic employment site comprising up to 4,855 sqm class B1a, up to 13,760 sqm class B1c, and up to 13,760 sqm class B2, a new country park, a local centre, containing a mix of leisure, commercial, employment, community, retail, health, and residential uses, a primary school, open space and green infrastructure…”

“19/00674/RMAM – Reserved Matters for the ‘enabling infrastructure phase’ of the comprehensive development. The approved works included the provision of a new ghost island at the junction of the existing colliery access with Ollerton Road, a new main spine road to serve the first two phases of the residential development which utilises the existing colliery access drive together with its associated highway drainage, surface water and foul infrastructure drainage systems,…”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment focused on housing, affordable homes, highways, ecology, environmental effects, infrastructure and viability, including concerns about protected sites and traffic.

“The key issues are considered to be as follows which will be discussed in turn;”

“The Principle of additional residential development & densities • Housing Need, Type and Mix (including affordables) • Highway Impacts • Ecological Impacts • Environmental Impacts (Air Quality etc) • Infrastructure Impacts and Viability…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Eight local residents or third parties objected over pressure on schools, healthcare, roads, drainage, car parks, population levels and Sherwood Forest.

“Representations from 8 third parties/local residents have been received raising concerns which can be summarised as follows: • Existing infrastructure such as schools, doctors, road (capacity), drainage and car parks already and this will add increased pressure.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, and members heard a presentation from the senior planning officer with photographs and plans.

What members discussed

Members discussed effects on Edwinstowe, community engagement, street trees, an NHS clinic, social housing, solar panels, wildlife, highways, buses and active travel.

“The impact of additional housing on Edwinstowe was discussed. One Member explained that the master developer Harworth Estates had been very good at engaging and communicating with the local community. Members discussed a number of issues, including street trees, the possibility of an NHS clinic on site, social housing and the desirability of solar panels on housing development. The importance of ground nesting nightjar and woodlarks was also discussed.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members unanimously agreed to grant planning permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“AGREED (unanimously) to grant Planning Permission subject to conditions and legal agreement.”

Minutes

The decision and reasons

Planning permission was granted because the additional development was not expected to cause significant effects beyond the wider committed redevelopment, subject to safeguards.

“Planning Committee is the appropriate body to consider the content of this report. A Legal Advisor will be present at the meeting to assist on any legal points which may arise during consideration of the application. Conclusion 9.1. A development of the scale proposed is unlikely to have any significant impacts on the existing character of the location, over and above the committed development which is under way within the wider Thoreseby Vale site.”

Officer report