50 dwellings at Land West Of Main Road, Long Bennington

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 50 dwellings, including housing, open space, landscaping, drainage and a pumping station.

“The application scheme would provide a layout of 50 dwellings and pumping station, open space, ancillary landscaping and drainage basin.”

“There would be an equipped open space would be located roughly centrally on the northern boundary and an informal open space incorporating a drainage lagoon located in the southwest corner of the site.”

Officer report

The site

The 2.30-hectare site is a flat agricultural field south of Long Bennington, beside Main Road, existing homes and a commercial vehicle yard.

“The site comprises 2.30ha of land to the south of Long Bennington. The site fronts on to Main Road to the east. The site is located on the edge of the settlement and beyond the residential dwellings of The Pastures to the north of the site and a commercial vehicle yard to the south-east of the site.”

“The site comprises one large field. The field is in agricultural use and has hedgerow boundaries to all sides intermixed with trees, with the northern boundary hedgerow a mature and maintained hedgerow. The site is largely flat, with levels dropping to the south-eastern corner of the site adjacent to the commercial yard.”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

Outline permission for up to 50 dwellings was granted in 2022, with access approved and further condition details submitted separately.

“S20/0775 – Outline Planning Permission for up to 50 dwellings was granted permission on 13 th May 2022. S25/0014 – Submission of details in relation to Conditions 4 - Sustainability, Condition 5 - Construction Management Plan, Condition 6 - Written Scheme of Archaeology Investigation, Condition 8 -Accessible and Adaptable Statement, Condition 9 - Surface Water, Condition 10 - Noise Assessment, Condition 11 - Materials , Condition 12 - Bio diversity Enhancements,…”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the proposal complied with the outline permission and provided acceptable layout, scale, appearance and landscaping without unacceptable neighbour impacts.

“Taking into account the above matters the principle of the development is established by the grant of outline planning permission, and it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable in terms of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping, being appropriate for the sites location and responds positively to sites context and surrounding built form and would not result in any unacceptable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers.”

“As such the proposal is considered to accord with the provisions of the outline planning permission and the adopted development plan Local Plan Policy SP1, H1, H2, H4, EN1, EN2, EN5, ID2, DE1, SB1, LV-H7, NPPF Section 5, 9, 11, 12 and 14, Long Bennington Neighbourhood Plan Policy LB1, LB2, LB4, LB7 and LB9 and Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven and there are no material planning considerations that indicate a decision should be taken otherwise.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Residents and the parish council raised concerns about drainage, flooding, sewer capacity, privacy, boundary treatments, noise, infrastructure, footpaths and maintenance.

“The application is relying on a gravity fed system connecting to the riparian ditch at the sites of the boundary with Main Road, leading to the Ease Drain. However, there is no evidence that the ditch has capacity and how this will be maintained.”

“-condition from the outline requiring bungalows to the north of the site must be adhered to -inconsistencies of the northern boundary treatment -overlooking loss of privacy along the northern boundary from dwellings and the open space -noise and disturbance from the open space -unclear regarding the future maintenance of hedgerows -important that the hedgerows are reinforced -concerns that the french drain along the northern boundary will not function or not be maintained…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The parish council raised drainage concerns, while the applicant said the site was secure and described affordable housing and bungalows.

Members’ questions

Members discussed flooding, drainage responsibility, boundary treatment, speed limits, footpaths, bungalows and whether drainage matters could return to the committee.

“The Committee were reminded that speed limit was not part of the Committee’s remit, however, it was noted the roads within the development would likely be 30mph.”

“It was queried whether matters concerning drainage would be brought back to the Committee.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee agreed to grant reserved matters consent subject to approved plans and a condition requiring detailed planting and maintenance arrangements.

“It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT reserved matters consent, subject to conditions:”

“-Location Plan Drawing No. 8002-L-01 -Planning Site Layout Drawing No. 20026-SGH-AR-PSL-001 Rev P08 -House Type B985 – Floor Plan and Elevations Rev B -House Type B1023 – Floor Plans and Elevations Rev A -House Type H5201 – Floor Plans Rev A -House Type H5201 – Elevations Rev A -House Type 4202 V2 – Plans and Elevations (Plots 30 and 45 only) -House Type B810 – Floor Plans and Elevations -House Type B987 – Floor Plans and Elevations -House Type H2201 – Floor Plans and…”

Minutes