Four two-bedroom homes at Street Record, Church Close, Great Wilbraham

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for four two-storey, two-bedroom homes with parking, cycle storage and bin storage; landscaping was reserved.

“Document section Document heading 1 Executive summary 2 Site description and context 3 The proposal 4 Relevant site history 5 Policy 6 Consultations 7 Third party representations 8 Member representations 9 Local groups / petition 10 Assessment 11 Principle of development 12 Housing provision 13 Design, layout, scale and landscaping 14 Trees 15 Heritage assets 16 Carbon reduction and sustainable design 17 Biodiversity 18 Water management and flood risk 19 Highway safety and…”

“The proposal 3.1 The application proposes the erection of 4no two storey 2bed dwellings with associated car and cycle parking and bin storage. This is an outline application, however, the only matter reserved in landscaping.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is unused, overgrown garden land within the village development framework, beside allotments, homes, a public house and heritage assets.

“Table 2: Consultee Summary 2. Site description and context 2.1 The site is unused garden land. It is largely overgrown with trees and shrubs; an area of grass is in the centre of the site. Mature trees mark the site boundaries along with several within it as well. The land currently has no access but there is a turning head and parking area to the north that serves a substation, the allotments, and residents’ parking.”

“Southwest and southeast of the site are the rear gardens to properties on High Street. North of the site is the village’s allotments and the turning head and car parking area mentioned above. Northwest of the site is a terraced bungalows at Church Close which front a green. This green area runs between the site and the southern boundary of no. 31 Church Close.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the housing principle, design, heritage, neighbour amenity, highways, ecology and trees were acceptable subject to safeguards.

“Great Wilbraham is a Group Village, and the site is in the development framework. The proposal is acceptable in principle as it will deliver housing in a sustainable location.”

“Issues relating to trees and ecology have been addressed to the satisfaction of the relevant specialist officers. Tree removals are required and the Arboricultural Impact Assessment indicates that these will be of lower quality trees and benefit the remaining trees. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal suggests measures to enhance biodiversity, and a DEFRA metric has been completed which demonstrates that statutory BNG of more than 10% increase can be achieved.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Most consultees raised no objection, but the Housing Service objected over access, parking loss and parking pressure, while 16 representations opposed the proposal.

“Recommended conditions include a restriction on construction hours and piling method statement and mitigation details (if piling is required). Housing (Tenancy and Estates Service) - Object 6.16 The Housing Service objects to the proposal as landowners of part of the access and adjacent parking. The applicant has not sought permission to use their land for access.”

“Parking pressure in the area is already significant and intensification of housing with only one space per dwelling would worsen the situation. The single‑width access road means no on‑street parking is possible, making the loss of allotment parking particularly harmful.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish councillor spoke for the Parish Council in support, while members were directed to two written statements opposing the application.

Members’ discussion

Members noted the replacement allotment parking space, Parish Council support and the contribution of much-needed village housing.

“During debate the committee considered the following issues: i. One of the car parking spaces serving the allotments which would be lost as a result of the development would be re-provided within the application site. ii. Noted the Parish Council supported the application. iii. The application would provide much needed housing in the village.”

Minutes

The vote

The five committee members voted unanimously to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation.

“The Delivery Manager summarised the recommendation set out on p241-242 of the agenda for approval of the application subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report with delegated authority for officers to make minor amendments to the conditions as drafted and subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.”

“By unanimous vote of 5, the Committee approved the application as per the officer recommendation subject to: • The planning conditions set out in the officer’s report with minor amendments to the conditions as drafted delegated to officers; and • The satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement which includes the Heads of Terms (HoT’s) as set out in the report with minor amendments to the Heads of Terms as set out delegated to officers; and • A deadline for completion…”

Minutes