Four dwellings at Land Adjacent The Brushes, Retford Road, Walesby

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for four dwellings, with two on each land parcel and further details reserved for a later stage.

“The application seeks Permission in Principle (the first of a 2-stage process) for residential development of 4 dwellings on the site (two dwellings on each parcel of land). No specific details are required at this stage.”

“The proposed dwellings would each have their own detached garage, utilising the existing vehicular accesses from Retford Road. As the proposal is for permission in principle, no elevational details or plans have been submitted at this stage – details would be considered at the Technical Details Consent stage if permission in principle is approved.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies west of Retford Road at Walesby, includes grazing and overgrown land, and is in open countryside with existing accesses.

“The site is located at the west of Retford Road at the village of Walesby, opposite of the defined built-up area of Walesby. The proposed site consists of two parcels of land, positioned either side (north and south) of the dwelling on east of Retford Road known as The Brushes; as well as north of The Firs, a boarding cattery, south of the southern parcel of the proposed site.”

“The northern parcel of land appears to be used for horses grazing as it is noted that some horses were within the section of land on the site visit. The southern parcel of land appears to be overgrown and was vacant on the day of the site visit.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Pre-application advice was sought in August 2025.

“Pre-application advice was sought in August 2025.”

Officer report

Main matters for later approval

Access, design, amenity, ecology, trees, drainage and biodiversity would be assessed through the technical details consent.

“The Technical Details Consent application would be required to be submitted within three years of the decision date if the application was approved. Policy DM5(b) Design of the emerging amended DPD sets out the criteria for which all new development should be assessed against.”

“In terms of surface water, in accordance with Core Policy 10, and Policy DM5, new development should positively manage its surface water run-off through the design and layout of development to ensure that there is no unacceptable impact in run-off into surrounding areas or the existing drainage regime.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The highway authority found no significant traffic increase but required safe access, while the parish council raised road safety and service capacity concerns.

“NCC Highway – confirmed that the scale of development proposed would not be expected to result in any significant increase in traffic. However, the suitability of the site would be contingent on the ability to provide safe access, which would require adequate visibility splays based on the operating speed of the road.”

“Walesby Parish Council – has concerns regarding this application mainly due to the location of the plots in relation to the blind brow on Retford Road and this area has been known as an accident blackspot. Furthermore, the extra strain on the services, such as drainage, sewage and electric as these are currently considered to be at capacity or beyond.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents raised concerns about accidents, speeding, drainage, flooding, green space, grazing land, nearby businesses, land stability and possible future development.

“Eight letters of representations have been received from local residents, raising the following concerns: • Retford Road is busy with commercial, farming and emergency response vehicles and the proposed accesses are also close to the junction off New Hill and there has been several accidents in the recent years. • Brick wall and iron gates of property on west of Retford Road have been smashed down from speeding vehicle, which the Police were called out.”

“While the highway authority stated that there were 4 personal injury collision between Jan 2022 to June 2025, there were other RTCs on this stretch of Retford Road which involved all three Emergency Services, some also involved the use of the air ambulance. • The land should continue to be used as pasture for horses or other similar animals as it has been for many years. • The fields should remain as grazing fields for animals as well as for drainage of the village.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application, following a presentation by the senior planning officer.

The committee vote

Members voted 12 to 1 in favour of approving permission in principle.

“Members considered the application, and it was felt that the proposed development was in a sustainable location and on a main road, it was therefore considered acceptable.”

“AGREED (with 12 votes For and 1 vote Against) that the Permission in Principle be approved.”

Minutes