71 homes at Wanborough Road, Swindon

What was proposed

The application sought 71 homes with access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works, including 20% affordable housing.

“Proposal: Erection of 71 no. dwellings, creation of access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works.”

“The proposal is to erect 71 dwellings with related access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works. The application is for full planning permission with housing mix to be 4x1 bed flats, 15x2 bed houses, 33x3 bed houses, and 19x4 bed houses. 20% of the housing would be affordable. Access would be via key link roads (which are yet to be built) within the wider Foxbridge North site, these link roads leading to the SCR.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 2.2-hectare site was an open field within Foxbridge village, near the A419, Wanborough Road, archaeological remains and Wanborough House.

“The c. 2.2ha application site comprises part of a generally level and open field. To its north and south sides are hedgerows with further fields beyond. To the east side is a further part of the same open field, with Wanborough Road and Wanborough House beyond; to the west is the same field with the A419 beyond.”

“As explained in the ‘Background’ section, the site lies within the NEV Foxbridge village, with all of the land on its north, west and south sides already committed to development c/o outline planning permissions, and with sections of the NEV Southern Connector Road (SCR) already constructed (but not yet open to traffic) close by.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three agents made submissions supporting the application.

What members discussed

Members discussed archaeological harm, the balance of public benefits, and the earlier school proposal and inspector’s conclusion that housing was acceptable.

“The responses provided by officers to questions raised as part of the Members only discussion can be broadly summarised as follows:”

“The objections of the county archaeologist and Historic England have been weighed in the planning balance, and it has been concluded by officers that the identified less than substantial harm caused by the development to the nearby archaeology is outweighed by public benefits, which are notably the delivery of housing and the delivery of wider management plans to ensure the long-term protection of the archaeology.”

Minutes

The vote

Six councillors supported granting permission and one councillor opposed it.

“Councillor Neil Hopkins proposed that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report. Councillor Simon Shelley seconded the proposal. Six Councillors were in favour of the proposal, and one was opposed.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions set out in the case officer’s report.

“Resolved – That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report. 77.”

Minutes