10 affordable homes at Land At (Os 9633 6293) Droitwich Road, Hanbury

What was proposed

An outline rural exception scheme proposed up to 10 affordable dwellings, with access from the Salt Way and other details reserved.

“The application proposes the erection of 10 affordable dwellings and is promoted as a ‘rural exception scheme’. The application is in outline form with all matters reserved except for access, which is proposed to be taken directly off the Salt Way.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.6-hectare paddock lies southwest of Hanbury, outside its settlement boundary, within the Green Belt and in Flood Zone 1.

“The site is located outside of the settlement boundary for Hanbury and within the Green Belt. The site is not subject to any formal or informal landscape designations and is within Flood Zone 1.”

Officer report

Planning history

No relevant planning history was identified for the site.

“There is no planning history that is relevant to this application.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a legal agreement and conditions, finding the affordable housing need, policy compliance and benefits outweighed limited harms.

“In terms of the social benefits of the proposed development. The proposal would deliver much needed affordable housing in the context of a current housing land supply deficit. Substantial weight is attached to this benefit.”

“RECOMMENDATION To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure the obligations and planning conditions listed below, allowing for any subsequent amendments to the obligations and conditions as required by the Director of Planning and Infrastructure. 1.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Twenty-one objections raised concerns about biodiversity, amenities, the Green Belt, flooding, highways, views, schools, public transport, footways, orchards and housing need.

“The material planning objections raised have been summarised by the case officer to include:”

“Adverse impact on biodiversity. • Lack of local amenities. • Impact on the Green Belt. • Flooding concerns. • Highway safety concerns. • Loss of views. • Impact on local schools. • Poor public transport. • Lack of footways. • Loss of a Traditional Orchard. • Lack of need for affordable housing.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish representative and a resident spoke against approval, while the agent spoke in support; the planning officer answered members’ questions.

The committee debate

Members discussed affordable housing need, rural exception sites, accessibility, flooding, the scale and character of the settlement, and securing local housing allocation.

“Councillor Dawkes questioned the sustainability of the site given that it lacks adequate access to public transport, access to the school is dangerous and that there is no shop or healthcare in the village. Residents would rely on private vehicles. He was concerned that there was an increased risk of flooding and doubted that guarantees that the affordable housing intentions would be binding.”

“Councillor E J Kearsey thanked the ward members for bringing the application to be debated at committee. She acknowledged that the issues raised in objection were the same for all rural exception sites, but that she was pleased that the developer had not used the 5 Year Housing Supply position for its application. It was determined that the housing need for the parish was 2 homes and for the surrounding parishes a further 29.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to approve the application in accordance with the officer recommendation, with additional clarity sought on affordable housing allocation.

“To approve in accordance with officer recommendation subject to more clarity on the allocation of the affordable housing units in conjunction with the Director of Planning and Infrastructure and in liaison with the local ward members, and to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure the obligations and planning conditions listed below, allowing for any…”

Minutes