100 homes and open space at Land East of Cockaynes Lane, Alresford

What was proposed

The application sought up to 100 homes, including older-person, affordable, first-time buyer and custom-build homes, with open space and improved walking links.

“Development: Outline Planning Application (All matters reserved except Access) - Erection of up to 100 dwellings (to include specialist housing for older people and custom/self-build homes) together with amenity space, landscaping and associated works.”

“This outline proposal seeks up to 100 dwellings, including 60 age restricted homes, 30% affordable housing, 5 no. custom/self-build plots and 5 no. homes for first time buyers, together with 2.7ha of public open space and enhanced pedestrian links.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site was arable farmland beside Alresford’s built-up edge, outside the settlement boundary, near homes, employment units, a nature reserve, a station and public rights of way.

“The application site comprises approximately 6.70 hectares of arable farmland located east of Cockaynes Lane, adjacent to the built-up edge of Alresford. The land is broadly level and is enclosed on all boundaries by established hedgerows with occasional mature trees and occasional openings in the hedgerow.”

“The site lies outside, but immediately adjacent to, the Alresford Settlement Development Boundary as defined within the adopted Local Plan.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals included older-person and self-build housing on the site, while nearby residential schemes had been refused, appealed and approved.

“Specific site history: 24/50006/PREAPM Proposed development of older person (55+) and self-build and custom-build homes, together with substantial areas of open space and landscaping features. Scheme proposes approximately 99 homes. Support with amendments…”

“Adjacent site (east) PART 23/00871/OUT Outline Planning Application (Access to be considered) for development of up to 5 self and custom-build plots. Refused…”

Officer report

Technical advice

Highways, ecology, drainage, trees, environmental protection and minerals consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while archaeology required further evaluation.

“Advisory: ECC Green Infrastructure raises no objection. Their comments are advisory only and represent specialist opinion. All GI, biodiversity and drainage matters can be fully addressed through the statutory consultation responses and conditions recommended by Place Services Ecology and the Lead Local Flood Authority.”

“ECC Highways raises no objection to the proposal subject to conditions. Recommended conditions, include:”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in support, while Councillors Gary Scott and Ann Wiggins spoke against the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant outline consent subject to the Section 106 agreement, conditions, archaeological clearance, committee control of reserved matters and further safeguards.

“1) on appropriate terms as detailed in the Officer report (A.1) together with those that may be deemed necessary to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning and Building Control to secure the completion of a legal agreement under the provisions of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (the S106 Agreement) dealing with the matters as summarised at paragraph 9.2 of the Officer report (A.1) and amended by the Officer Update Sheet;”

“5) in the event that the required archaeological trial trenching reveals the presence of non-designated heritage assets of archaeological interest which, on the advice of Essex County Council Place Services Archaeology, are demonstrably of equivalent significance to a scheduled monument, the grant of planning permission will be withheld pending the submission to the Planning Committee of a revised report setting out the implication of these findings both on the applicability…”

Minutes