A big planning application comes up tomorrow night (Thursday). It’s from David Wilson Homes, for 176 houses in Hawkwell. Officers are recommending approval :
11/00259/FUL “Demolish Existing Dwelling And Construct Development Of 176 Houses With Access Off Thorpe Road, Access Off Clement Hall Way, Access For One Plot Off Rectory Road, Road Network, Cycle Way And Footpath Network, Public Open Space, Landscaping And Location Of High Pressure Gas Main. Land Between Main Road And Rectory Road And Clements Hall Way Hawkwell”
You can find the full report here.
A previous application for 330 homes was refused in 2009.
The scheme fits in as part of the District Council’s core strategy:
1.120 The application site is commensurate with the general location of South Hawkwell, which is identified in the Core Strategy for the development of 175 dwellings by 2015 (Policy H2). It is important that the Core Strategy as a whole is given due consideration in the determination of the application
Though Hawkwell Parish Council are furious:
1.39
Outraged that the Planning Authority should be so dismissive of the Parish Council in its role as statutory consultee. Would have thought that, as in the past, such a significant proposal, and one where the Planning Authority is fully aware of the vehement opposition of the residents, would have considered providing an opportunity for the Parish Council and members of the public to view these plans and ask questions of the planning officers at a specially convened session. It is a poor reflection on the District Council that they have not bothered to do so and it is in stark contrast to the case of the developer for the Jewson site taking the trouble to engage with District and Parish Councillors and give the public the chance to see and discuss the proposals.
Some of the gardens are below our minimum standard – in one case the garden is only 51% of what it should be. However our council’s officers say this is OK because the hosues are near public open space:
1.199 . The garden areas for affordable housing can be relaxed where the site adjoins pubic open space. Notwithstanding the shortfalls identified, in this case, the dwellings are Spencer?s Park and Clements Hall. The layout provides useable spaces to each dwelling for limited outside storage and recreation that when balanced with the open space within the layout and nearby Spencer?s Park and Clements Hall off set the shortfall in individual plot provision. It would however be necessary to remove permitted development rights .
The key conclusion of council officers is that:
1.244 The proposal, whilst being located within the Metropolitan Green Belt, accords with the Council?s Core Strategy which advocates a release from Green Belt of land to deliver 175 (net) dwellings in the South Hawkwell area…..
Let’s see how the vote goes tomorrow night…. As always, district councillors have to keep an open mind in advance of the meeting.