40 homes proposed at Waltham
40 homes have been proposed outside Waltham development boundary
A developer has made a fresh application to build dozens of homes on land between Waltham and New Waltham. Snape Properties Ltd wants to demolish existing stables and barns at Grove Farm off Station Road, Waltham, and build 40 homes and seven new stables.
It previously sought outline permission for 120 homes at the site, which is located 200m away from Tollbar Academy. This was refused by the council on four grounds in November, including being outside of the development boundary, more information needed on its expected impact on local roads and the site’s “potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest”. A subsequent planning appeal by the developer did not overturn the decision to refuse planning permission.
The site is adjacent to cropmarks tentatively linked to the Roman or Iron Age period. There was council concern based on a submitted geophysical survey that identified anomalies that the cropmarks extended onto the site and there may be buried archaeological remains beneath it.
In May, the planning inspector backed the council’s refusal, but only on the grounds of the location outside the development boundary and concern over possible harming of heritage assets. For the new 40 homes application, a 29-page long archaeological evaluation report has been submitted to accompany it.
This details that six trenches were dug on site by York Archaeology in June to assess the area’s archaeological value. These produced no finds, features or deposits of archaeological significance, but several furrows and plough scars were observed.
40 homes proposal
The latest application by Snape Properties covers 3.76 hectares and involves creation of 40 homes in total, as well as the stables, a drainage pond and a village green space. There would be eight three-bed affordable homes, while the remaining 32 homes would be split between two three-bed and 30 four-bed homes.
Vehicle access would be via Station Road, with an improved junction. A submitted transport statement estimates it would generate up to 24 two-way vehicle movements an hour during peak hours.
An application document also emphasises the intended development’s sustainability credentials. Besides solar panel roofs, shortly to become a legal requirement on most new housing, all homes will have EV charging infrastructure and air source heat pumps are to feature over traditional gas boilers.
The developer has indicated willingness to agree a S106 agreement involving financial contributions to local education and necessary off-site highway works. This would also provide legal confirmation of eight homes, 20 per cent, being assigned for affordable housing.