100-home outline scheme at Parcel Nos, 0006 2700 2972 9680 Evesham Road, Bishop's Cleeve

What was proposed

An outline scheme sought up to 100 homes, a new access, walking and cycling routes, open space, drainage, landscaping, habitat creation and a school drop-off car park.

“Outline planning permission is sought for the construction of up to 100 dwellings, the formation of a new means of access on Evesham Road, new footpaths and cycle routes, the creation of areas of open space including play space, new surface water drainage, new landscaping and habitat creation and a school drop off car park.”

“This application is in outline form with all matters reserved except for access.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The 7.5-hectare site comprised agricultural fields north of Bishops Cleeve and south of Gotherington, outside settlement boundaries, with a related open-space application.

“The site comprises a 7.5ha parcel of land located beyond the northern edge of Bishops Cleeve and to the south of the village of Gotherington.”

“The site is made up of two undulating agricultural fields demarcated by hedgerows and sparse trees and this application specifically relates to the northern extent of the two field parcels. The site is located to the west of the A435 and north of residential development currently under construction.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended delegated permission because the housing shortfall engaged the tilted balance and the identified harms would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

“The application site lies outside of the settlement boundary, is not allocated for housing development and does not meet any of the exceptions of Policy SD10 of the JCS or Policy RES3 of the TBLP. However, due to the lack of a 5 year housing land supply, the policies which are most important for determining the application are out-of-date.”

“The 'tilted balance' as set out in the NPPF is engaged. The identified harms, would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposed development in the overall planning balance and assessment.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objection, while several sought conditions or contributions covering affordable housing, highways, ecology, trees, drainage, noise and infrastructure.

“Housing Strategy – No objection subject to securing affordable housing.”

“GCC Highways – No objection subject to conditions and obligations.”

Officer report

What residents said

Eight objections raised concerns about highways, pollution, flooding, landscaping, nature, infrastructure, village character, privacy, heritage and design; one comment concerned the parish boundary.

“Pollution and noise disturbance • Sustainability, climate change, flooding • Trees and landscaping • Nature conservation • Impact on local infrastructure • Village capacity and loss of character • Los of green space, environmental impact • Overlooking, loss of privacy • Heritage assets • Design and visual appearance • No reference or provision for self-build plots…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent supported both linked applications, explaining the relationship between the housing and open-space proposals and their connection to Bishops Cleeve services.

What members discussed

Members discussed the settlement gap, housing need, landscape, school parking, links, the separate open-space application and drainage controls.

“PL.16.12.25 as two applications, the housing site lay outside of the flood zone and therefore was acceptable in principle so the two could be tied together through the Section 106. The Member sought an update regarding the school application and asked where the school drop-off car park referenced within this application would be located and how the children would access the school from the car park.”

“The Member raised concern there could potentially be delivery of a school without proper car parking facilities and this site gave an opportunity for this to be delivered. In the location suggested, cars would have to come off the roundabout, through the residential area and up to the top to be able to park so she hoped that could be amended in the reserved matters.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Members resolved to delegate permission to the Director: Growth, subject to conditions, any amendments and completion of the required Section 106 agreements.

“Condition 26 had been recommended by the Lead Local Flood Authority which had raised no objection to the application in principle and was satisfied this would secure the appropriate details at the appropriate time.”

“Upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED That authority be DELEGATED to the Director: Growth to PERMIT the application subject to conditions, and any additional or amended conditions, and completion of Section 106 legal agreements securing the requirements specified in the Section 106 Obligations section of the Committee report (subject to any amendments arising from ongoing discussions), in accordance with the Officer recommendation.”

Minutes