Four affordable homes and community meadow at Land To The North East Of Main Street, Sutton Cum, Granby

What was proposed

The application sought four semi-detached homes, with some details reserved, alongside agricultural land changing to community uses including a meadow, allotments, orchard and pond.

“Proposal Outline planning application for four semi-detached homes (appearance, landscaping and scale reserved) and change of use of agricultural land to accommodate community use, with access to land provided.”

“The proposal also includes the change of use of agricultural land to the rear of the proposed residential development to form a community meadow use including allotments, orchard and a pond. Car parking is also shown to be provided for this area.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The greenfield site formed part of an arable field beside Main Street, with hedgerows, trees, nearby homes and open countryside around it.

“Sutton cum Granby is a small village/hamlet consisting of a group of dwellings and agricultural buildings surrounded by the open countryside, which is mainly in arable agricultural use. The settlement is linear in form. The proximity of the open countryside, which extends between buildings to the main road through the settlement, and the green boundary treatments add to the areas strong agricultural character.”

“The application relates to a greenfield site comprising the northwest (roadside) portion of a large arable field located to the north east of the main built up part of Sutton cum Granby. The land slopes slightly away from the highway with an existing vehicle access located in the western corner of the site serving the existing agricultural land use.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals for homes, agricultural buildings, caravan storage and agricultural workers’ homes were refused or dismissed on appeal.

“19/00330/OUT - Outline application with all matters reserved for construction of 4no dwellings - REFUSED - APPEAL DISMISSED”

“23/00925/FUL - Change of use of land from agricultural to caravan storage; Erection of new security fence and gate; Erection of security shed; Formation of hard surfaced roadway. REFUSED”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

The highway authority sought event controls, ecology raised no objection, and residents and the parish council supported the homes and community facilities.

“Nottinghamshire County Council as Highway Authority - Initial objections were raised in relation to the visibility splays and intensity of use of the proposed access to serve the development.”

“RBC Ecology and Sustainability Officer – No objection. The onsite biodiversity gains will need to be secured via a planning obligation for a minimum of 30 years. Additionally, a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) should be submitted to the planning authority and approved by the planning authority with the Biodiversity Net Gain Plan. Enhancement measures and RAMS are recommended to be secured by condition.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicants’ agent, the applicant and the ward councillor addressed the committee under the public speaking arrangements.

What members debated

Members supported the community benefits but discussed controlling seasonal events and their possible effects on the highway.

“Members of the Committee felt the application was a good proposal and would greatly benefit the community in a number of ways, for example community allotments, affordable housing and biodiversity net gain, which was also supported by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.”

“Members expressed concerns around the proposal of seasonal community events and the impact this may have on the highway and suggested the condition that approval be sought from the Council prior to any event taking place in line with the Highways comments.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to reject the refusal recommendation and grant permission with additional conditions was carried unanimously.

“Councillor Mallender moved to reject the officer recommendation of refusal and put forward the proposal to grant planning permission with additional conditions around landscaping and ecology, green energy provision, highway approval and a S106 agreement in relation to affordable housing, provision of Biodiversity Net Gain and for the community use to be secured prior to occupation of the dwellings as discussed.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions, with the detailed conditions delegated to the Director for Development and Economic Growth.

“GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, THE DETAILS OF WHICH ARE DELEGATED TO THE DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH”

Minutes