Frustration over decision on plans for 54 affordable homes
‘Spiteful’ plans to build 54 affordable homes in Quedgeley have been given the go-ahead despite concerns over dangerous roads and the placing of a sewage pumping station near existing homes.
Bowsall Developments Limited and Platform Housing Limited’s proposals for Lynton Fields in Naas Lane were debated by Gloucester City Council amid serious concerns from neighbours.
The area was previously used by a chicken farm and has areas of hardstanding in the northern section with an existing access into the site off Naas Lane.
The scheme includes eight one-bed flats, a pair of two-bedroom bungalows, 16 two-bedroom properties, 22 three-bed houses, five four bedroom homes and a single five-bed dwelling.
However, at least 18 objections were lodged against the proposals ahead of the meeting.
Nick Hartshorn, an objector, spoke at North Warehouse and called on councillors to refuse planning permission.
He said previous proposals had been rejected due to road safety issues as well as overintensification of a private track.
“Over the years, applications for commercial use, mixed use, most recently a car boot sale were refused because access onto Naas Lane was considered far too dangerous,” he said.
He also said a proposed pedestrian spur is planned onto the track which is “used by cars at all hours” has “no visibility splays whatsoever”.
Mr Hartshorn went on to say the application felt “particularly spiteful” as a sewage pumping station would be placed beneath a window ten metres from his home.
“With a 24 hour operational plant use, noise, vibration, odour and maintenance traffic, no assessment has been provided to demonstrate that this will not harm us,” he said.
He also said the socially rented homes would be clustered against their boundary with shared-ownership houses “pushed to the top of the site”.
“The road layout suggests the future linkage directly under our bedroom to Cockwell Drive and the new postcode GL2 2FU shows a level of insensitivity that is frankly astonishing.”
Joanne McGrath, a planning consultant acting on behalf of the development, spoke in favour of the plans during the meeting which she said would provide a range of affordable rent or share ownership properties.
Highways improvements would be provided including a new bus shelter as well as pedestrian and cycle connections, she added.
“The scheme is a solution to families in housing need to access a quality affordable home,” she said.
“This is a sustainable site which is very well connected to local services, schools, employment and public transport.”
She said the council is not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply and the delivery of an affordable housing scheme must be afforded substantial weight.
And explained that the mix of homes would ensure a balanced and inclusive community with wheelchair adaptable homes.
“The proposals before you provide much-needed affordable family homes on a previously developed and sustainable site,” she concluded and asked the committee to grant permission.
During the debate, Councillor Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) said Naas Lane would become a rat run and “it is going to be a nightmare”.
However, he said there were no real planning reasons to refuse permission and said the homes are desperately needed.
Cllr Karen James (L, Kingsway) said there are currently between 4,500 to 5,000 people on the waiting list for a home and more affordable housing is really needed.
She also said the new estate would be an acceptable infill for the area given all the development nearby at the Booth Way and Hunt’s Grove.
And Cllr Usman Bhaimia (LD, Barton and Tredworth) agreed there was a need for more houses to help with the backlog.
But Cllr Alastair Chambers (CI, Matson, Robinswood and White City) said the proposals constituted overdevelopment with industrial units to the side and a busy lane next to it.
He said the plan was ill-thought-out and he couldn’t support it.
And Cllr Angela Conder (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton), who chairs the committee, said she supported the plans and liked the proposed layout as the houses were “nicely spaced out”.
The committee voted to grant permission with only one councillor voting against the proposals.