23-home residential scheme at Land at (OS 0591 4577), Laurels Avenue, Offenham, Evesham

What was proposed

The application proposed 23 homes, public open space, a SuDS basin and associated infrastructure.

“This application is a residential proposal for 23 dwellings, Public Open Space, SuDS basin and associated infrastructure.”

Officer report

Earlier proposals

Earlier applications concerned 13 affordable homes in 1997, five houses and four flats in 2004, and pre-application discussions for 25 homes in 2021.

“W/96/00322/PP. CONSTRUCTION OF 13 AFFORDABLE DWELLINGS AND ASSOCIATED SITE AND ROAD WORKS. LAND OFF, LAURELS AVENUE, OFFENHAM, NR EVESHAM WORCS. APL. Feb 28 1997”

“W/04/01091/PN. ERECTION OF 5 DWELLING HOUSES AND 4 FLATS TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED CAR PARKING AREAS AND ACCESS ROAD.. Land to the rear of, Laurels Avenue, Offenham, Evesham, WR11 8RD. APL. Nov 5 2004”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council was generally supportive but raised design, education, cumulative development and drainage concerns, while highways raised no objection subject to controls.

“Offenham Parish Council: Is generally supportive of this proposed development, given that the site was included in the existing version of the SWDP. However, we wish to make the following comments:- • The design of the houses should be revisited, as there are a number of issues including the use of blue brick, asymmetrical roofline, materials and chimney stack on front elevation.”

“WCC (LLFA): Following the submission of additional drainage details the LLFA have commented that the infiltration tests indicate that discharging surface water via infiltration is viable on this site, contrary to the drainage strategy report. Infiltration, however seemingly becomes unviable around 1.0 m depth generally. The LLFA does not approve of the submitted drainage plans discharging surface water runoff to the foul sewer.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three speakers spoke in favour, and members questioned speakers and officers about design, green-space management, SEND provision, roads and drainage.

Committee discussion

Members welcomed the amended design and considered the scheme an exemplar opportunity, including for testing alternative road construction and adoption arrangements.

“Cllr E Kearsey raised a question about adoption and asked about the impact with the difference between the Council’s design code versus the County Council’s street scape. The Council’s Urban Designer stated that developers have more flexibility in a design way when the roads are out of adoption. Particularly with new developments it gives a softer feel in the street scene with shorter private drives and better quality materials and surface materials.”

“Councillor E J Kearsey advised that this scheme had been in play for a considerable time and Wychavon should be congratulated as at the outset it was clear that it should come forward as an exemplar design and was very much in keeping with the design code. Councillor Kearsey proposed approval but asked if Officers could work with Worcestershire County Council to see if more could be adopted than otherwise would be to test our design code and see how far the…”

Minutes

Decision

Approval was delegated subject to a Section 106 agreement and conditions, with changes to drainage and biodiversity requirements.

“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 the planning conditions listed in the report but incorporating the changes mentioned by the planning officer in their presentation relating to drainage and biodiversity, allowing for any subsequent amendments to the obligations and planning conditions as required by the Director of Planning and…”

“Separately to note to work with Worcestershire County Council and use this application as an example to see what they will do with regard to the adoption of roads where other methods of construction have been used.”

Minutes