Three new dwellings at Foxlea, The Mount, Barley, Royston

What was proposed

The application sought two three-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom chalet bungalow, with parking, gardens and access through the existing access.

“Erection of two 3 bed dwellings and one 2-bed chalet bungalow with associated parking, amenity space and access to the site through the existing access off The Mount (as amended by plans received September 2025)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the amended scheme sustainable and acceptable, with its housing benefits outweighing the limited harm to the conservation area.

“Whilst the site lies within a Category A village, future occupiers would be reliant upon private vehicles to meet their day-to-day needs. Whilst the Local Plan and the NPPF promote sustainable transport, NPPF paragraph 110 accepts that opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary between urban and rural areas. In the circumstances it is considered that the site is in a sustainable rural location.”

“Overall, the scheme has considerable benefits. The layout, appearance and scale of the proposed development is considered acceptable in planning terms, following the submission of an amended scheme which followed initial concerns. The Council acknowledge that the development will result in a marked change to the visual character of the area and by extension the Conservation Area.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no objection, while the conservation officer and parish council objected to the amount and layout of development.

“By reason of the amount of development proposed with limited space between each built form, three vehicular entrance points and associated hard surfacing, the proposed development would erode the transitional character of this site at the edge of countryside resulting in a scheme that would not be sympathetic to the local area and will harm the character & appearance of the Barley Conservation Area.”

“The Council recognises Barley is defined as a Category A village in the adopted Local Plan, and, as such the planning policies support limited infill development of windfall sites within the village envelope. Additionally, NHDC does not have a recognised five- year housing land supply and there is a presumption in favour of development.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish councillor and two other objectors spoke against the application, while the applicant’s agent spoke in support.

The decision

The committee granted permission subject to the reported conditions and an additional condition protecting tree roots during construction.

“RESOLVED: That application 24/00765/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, and the addition of Condition 15 to add protection to tree roots on-site, with delegation of authority to be granted to the Development and Conservation Manager to finalise the wording of the Condition in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Control Committee.”

“Prior to the commencement of development, a survey shall be undertaken to identify the root protection zones of all trees to be retained where construction or excavation works are proposed. Where roots with a diameter of 25mm or greater are identified, any excavation within the root protection zones shall be carried out by hand.”

Minutes