17 dwellings at Land off James Avenue, Calne

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 17 homes, including market and affordable housing, open space, landscaping, and access links.

“This is a reserved matters application for the Approval of Reserved Matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission ref: 20/07659/OUT. The reserved matters for consideration therefore relate to access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale only.”

“The proposal is for the construction of 17 dwellings. This comprises 12 market houses (mix of 2, 3 and 4-bed houses) and 5 affordable houses comprising 2 shared ownership houses (1no 2-bed and 1no 3-bed) and 3 properties for affordable rent (2no. 2-bed houses and 1no 3- bed). The reserved matters scheme includes the provision of policy compliant affordable…”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site is undeveloped greenfield land between housing developments, with outline permission already granted for up to 17 homes.

“The site currently comprises an area of undeveloped greenfield land located to the west of James Avenue, on the southeastern side of Calne. The site covers an area of approximately 0.5ha positioned in-between two housing developments now built out (14/11179/OUT, 17/00679/OUT & 17/08959/FUL refer).”

“The site is wholly within Flood Zone 1 and is not identified at high risk of ground water flooding although some low risk surface water flooding is evident on site on the updated Council Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Mapping. The site is not located within a designated landscape area and there are no heritage assets in close proximity.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Wessex Water and council specialists raised no remaining objections, subject to conditions covering drainage, highways, trees, ecology, landscaping and maintenance.

“Wiltshire Council Highways initially objected to the layout design and now raise no objection following revisions, subject to conditions in respect of completion of parking, road, footpaths and turning spaces and future maintenance.”

“Wiltshire Council Landscape Officer - initially objected to the proposal. Following revisions to the landscaping and LEMP, the landscape officer now raises no objection Wiltshire Council Drainage No objection subject to conditions…”

Officer report

What residents said

All 45 representations objected, citing flooding, sewage, overdevelopment, traffic, parking, privacy, construction disruption, lost green space and pressure on services.

“Drainage • Existing poor drainage and flooding will be exacerbated • Raw sewage spilling from drains Character/Landscape • Loss of existing green space • Loss of trees • Changes character of James Avenue from cul-de-sac to through route…”

“Amenity • Noise nuisance from road • Disruption during construction • All construction traffic should egress the site via a wheel wash, and no workers or subcontractors vehicles should be permitted to park on the adjacent residential streets. Working hours should be restricted to 0800-1600 Monday to Friday, and 0800-1200 Saturday.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident spoke against the proposal, while the local member had given apologies; earlier participation included council, residents, the applicant and town council.

The committee decision

Members proposed and resolved to approve the reserved matters application in accordance with the submitted details and conditions.

“During debate, a motion to approve in line with officer recommendations was proposed by Cllr Chuck Berry and seconded by Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall, following which it was:”

“To approve the in accordance with the details of the RESERVED MATTERS submitted by the applicant, and subject to compliance with the following Conditions:”

Minutes