187-home housing scheme at Land at Swadlincote Lane, Castle Gresley, Swadlincote

“The site, addressed as Land at Swadlincote Lane, Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, DE11 9TD, comprises of approximately 6.83ha (16.88 acres) of agricultural land located within the existing urban area of Castle Gresley, to the south-west of Swadlincote. The whole site is located within the defined settlement boundary for Swadlincote as depicted by the Swadlincote Urban Area (2) Settlement Boundary map of the South Derbyshire District Local Plan.”

“The site currently comprises pasture / grassland fields, the Councils mapping system shows this as grade 3 agricultural land. The fields are interspersed by trees and hedgerows crossing the site and adjacent to the site boundaries, none are subject to either individual or group TPOs. There is currently no formal vehicular access to the site and agricultural access is currently taken from Swadlincote Lane along the eastern site boundary.”

“The site has no recent planning application history of direct relevance to the current proposals.”

“It is highly material that the employment allocation which covers a small part of the site has been allocated for employment purposes since 1998 with no employment development being delivered during these 27 years.”

“It is acknowledged that the development proposal will not deliver 30% affordable housing as per the requirement of Policy H21, however, as officers seek to maximise the affordable housing provision with delegated authority, it is also considered that significant positive weight must be attributed to the delivery of affordable housing in line with the requested number of 25 units.”

“On the basis of the above it is considered that the proposed scheme of development, is acceptable and is recommended that members delegate authority to the Heard of Planning to conclude negotiations on S106 obligations, following the outcome of the viability appraisal review, to secure a minimum of 25 affordable dwellings on the site and approve the application subject to the recommended conditions and S106 agreement.”

“The Committee was advised that Members had attended a site visit earlier that day.”

“The Chair proposed that the Application be deferred.”

“That planning consideration be deferred to allow the response from the viability consultant to be received and considered.”