233 homes at Land South Of (East Of Griffin Place) Radwinter Road Sewards End And Saffron Walden

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 233 homes, including affordable housing, with layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and associated works.

“PROPOSAL: Submission of details following outline application UTT/21/2509/OP - details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for 233 dwellings with associated works.”

“This Reserved Matters application seeks approval for the layout, scale, appearance, landscaping, and associated details for the development of 233 dwellings, including affordable housing, in accordance with the outline planning permission (UTT/21/2509/OP). The outline application was determined under the policies of the previous Uttlesford Local Plan 2005 and allowed at appeal on 5 th October 2022.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 18.3-hectare arable site lies east of Saffron Walden, beside homes and a commercial site, with open farmland to the east and south.

“The application site comprises a rectangular piece of land measuring 18.3ha to the east edge of Saffron Walden, to the south of Radwinter Road. The site is currently in arable agricultural use.”

“It is directly adjacent to residential development (west of the site) that has been implemented and built out by Linden Homes and Redrow. There is an existing small scale commercial site that abuts the north-west corner of the site. To the east and south of the site is open farmland. The site which lies directly to the south of the application site is allocated for future residential development.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

The outline application was refused but later allowed on appeal, and the reserved matters application was submitted within the required period.

“APP/C1570/W/22 /3296426) Outline application for the erection of up to 233 residential dwellings including affordable housing, with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and associated works, with vehicular access point from Radwinter Road. All matters reserved except for means of access Refused.”

“UTT/25/1463/FUL S73 application to vary condition 3 (approved plans), 5 (tree protection measures) and 19 (Farmland Bird Mitigation Strategy) of UTT/21/2509/OP (erection of up to 233 residential dwellings and associated works) Approved UTT/25/3184/DOV Request for Deed of Variation of 106 agreement dated 21 Septmber 2022 Under consideration UTT/26/0220/DOC Application to discharge condition 9 (contamination) attached to UTT/21/2509/OP (approved under Appeal…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal well resolved and policy compliant, with safe movement, substantial green infrastructure, acceptable housing standards and protection for residential amenity.

“Of the 233 dwellings, 93 units (40%) are affordable to include a tenure split of 65 affordable rented units (70%) and 28 affordable home ownership units (30%). This fully accords with the requirements of the outline S106 legal agreement and Policy H9 of the Uttlesford Local Plan 2005. The affordable housing provision is, however, 5% more than that required under Core Policy 56 of the new Local Plan 2021-2041 which requires 35% of the total dwellings as affordable dwellings.”

“Overall, the proposals are considered to deliver a well-resolved, policy compliant development consistent with the objectives of the NPPF 2024, the new Uttlesford Local Plan 2021-2041 and in full accordance with the approved outline parameter plans.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Statutory consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions, while town and parish councils and five nearby households raised transport, flooding, open-space and environmental concerns.

“The areas of open space have changed/reduced. • The road floods and with more development this will get worse. • Hedgerows on the roadside must be retained. • A footpath into Sewards End and the town centre would add to the sustainability of the site, demonstrating encouragement of sustainable transport.”

“Only 1 vehicle access point for 233 dwellings. • Is too large and dense making the eastern end of Saffron Walden characterless and anodyne. • Will increase traffic congestion and lead to legitimate safety concerns navigating the already overstressed road system. • Development is not sustainable as it does not add any amenities. • Removes green spaces. • Increased risk of flooding and damage and overwhelming sewers.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application.

What members discussed

Members broadly supported the scheme but discussed the size of entrance buildings, earlier mature tree planting, plant replacement and pond safety near play space.

“Members discussed: • Their general positive support for the scheme, although the site was quite constrained. • Concerns at the size of the three storey builds at the entrance to the site. • The need for more mature trees to be installed at an early stage and for a 10-year plant back requirement to be included within landscaping conditions. • The need to be mindful of pond safety, particularly near the play space by the SuDs ponds to the north.”

“Councillor Pavitt proposed approval of the application, with additional requirements within the landscaping condition to secure the play space by the SuDs ponds to the north and for more mature trees to be included around the Avenue, alongside a 10-year plant back condition.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members resolved to grant permission subject to the report’s conditions, with added landscaping requirements for pond-side play space, mature trees and ten-year plant replacement.

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 17 of the report together with the additional requirement detailed above- Conditions.”

Minutes