Up to 9 homes at Land At (Os 0497 4920), Evesham Road, Harvington

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for residential development of up to nine dwellings on agricultural land at the village entrance.

“Evesham Road at the entrance to the village of Harvington. To the north is an existing residential development at Orchard Place and to the south and west is agricultural land.”

Officer report

The site

The 0.78-hectare site lies beside Evesham Road, with housing to the north and agricultural land to the south and west.

“The application site com-rises 0.78 ha of agricultural land on the north-west side of…”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council objected over planning policy, the valued view, highways and flooding; highways raised no objection and drainage risk was low.

“Harvington Parish/Town Council: • Conflicts with key policies in the Harvington Neighbourhood Plan. • Outside development boundary detailed in Policy DB1 and does not meet any of the policy exemptions. • Location severely impacts a valued view – V2 in the NDP and conflicts with Policy EH4 – valued views • Exit from the site is in a 50mph speed limit • Housing allocation in the village is almost fulfilled and the remainder can be satisfied by windfall developments. • Flooding…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative spoke against approval, while the applicant and an agent spoke in support.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the timing and weakness of the Neighbourhood Plan, its lack of an allocation, and the proposal’s apparent sustainability.

“The Local Member, Councillor C Reeves, stated that this was the second time this application had been to committee and gave him another opportunity to voice the fragility of a Neighbourhood Plan. He referred back to his previous speech where he had highlighted the flaws and the misfortune of the parish council that the gaping hole in policy that the SWDPR, yet to be adopted, was leaving Harvington with.”

“Councillor E J Kearsey stated that this application coming forward had given her great concern and could potentially undermine public confidence in Neighbourhood Plans but it was all about timing and that as a committee they could only consider what was in front of them today as opposed to what they may be able to do going forward.”

Minutes

The committee’s vote

The committee resolved to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission.

“To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission.”

Minutes