21 affordable homes at Land off Maple Close, Braunston

What was proposed

The application proposed 21 affordable homes, new roads and associated site services, including semi-detached homes, a bungalow and open space.

“Development: Construction of 21 affordable homes including new roads and associated site services.”

“The application site forms part of an agricultural field on the eastern edge of Braunston village. An existing affordable housing site is located to the west boundary with agricultural land to the north, east and south. A detached property shares part of the south common boundary with the application site. The existing affordable housing site is accessed from Maple Close west of the application site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for 12 affordable dwellings was approved subject to a legal agreement and conditions.

“DA/2015/0700 – Construction of 12 Affordable Dwelling – Approved subject to Sect 106 and conditions…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended delegated approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement securing affordable housing and public open space.

“Having regard to the presumption in favour of sustainable development it is necessary to consider the three elements cited. The preceding paragraphs have indicated that the proposal would accord with the Development Plan policies which address the supply of affordable housing in rural areas the impacts on visual and neighbour amenity, highways and access, flooding and drainage and ecology.”

“That the Assistant Director for Planning and development be given delegated powers to grant permission for the development subject to conditions set out below and completion of a section 106 legal agreement to secure all dwellings as affordable housing in perpetuity and the provision of amenity open space and accessible natural and semi-natural greenspace, together with its function as a natural local area of play as Public Open Space…”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered development principles, highway safety, visual and residential amenity, flooding, drainage, ecology and open space.

“Conclusion The application has been assessed against the relevant policies in the NPPF, the adopted Local Plan and other relevant guidance as listed in detail at Section 8 of the report.”

“The key issues arising from the application details are: • Principle of Development • Highway Safety • Impact on Visual Amenity & Residential Amenity • Flooding & Drainage • Ecology • Open Space…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Strategic Housing and the parish council supported the proposal, while consultees including highways, ecology and flood authorities raised no objections.

“Consultations The following consultees have raised objections to the application: • None The following consultees have raised no objections to the application: • WNC Lead Local Flood Authority • WNC Education Services • WNC Libraries • WNC Environmental Health • WNC Archaeology • WNC Ecology • WNC Highways • National Highways…”

“The following consultees are in support of the application: • Strategic Housing • Braunson Parish Council…”

Officer report

Public speakers

No public speakers addressed the committee on this application.

The committee vote

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the application, with ten votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.

“It was proposed by Councillor Nigel Berill and seconded by Councillor Alexander McMurtry that application 2024/4229/MAF be approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote with ten votes cast in favour of the proposal, no votes cast against with no abstentions, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was approved.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was delegated to the Assistant Director, subject to a legal agreement securing affordable housing, public open space and conditions.

“(1) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to grant permission to application 2024/4229/MAF subject to:”

“The completion of a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the following: • All dwellings as affordable housing in perpetuity • The provision of amenity open space and accessible natural and semi- natural green space, together with its function as a natural local area of play as public open space…”

Minutes