Controversial plans to build 250 homes in Staffordshire town looks set to get green light despite ‘significant’ objections
The proposed houses are set to be constructed in greenbelt land at Coulter Lane Farm.
Controversial plans to build 250 homes in Burntwood looks set to get the green light despite ‘significant’ objections.
The proposed houses are set to be constructed in greenbelt land at Coulter Lane Farm.
The proposals would demolish 59 Church Road and associated buildings to make way for the development. It is planned that access will come from a priority T-junction from Church Road.
The development would contain 43 per cent affordable housing. A range of house types are planned, with the building typically being two storeys, however, the buildings will range from one bedroom apartments to five-bed detached houses.
Alongside the new houses new cycle and pedestrian routes are planned, with improved landscape features. Allotments are proposed for both new and existing residents and play areas will feature.
The site is located within the green belt, however, the land has been assessed by planning officers, who have concluded that the land is considered as grey belt. Planning officers also conclude there is an unmet housing need, the site is in a sustainable location and the proposal complies with national planning policy. They therefore consider it is not inappropriate development in the green belt.
Lichfield District Council are unable to demonstrate a five year housing land supply, currently the council can demonstrate 3.5 years. This means there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The development would have a low degree of harm on four grade II, seven locally listed buildings and five non-designated heritage assets according to planning officers. The county archaeologist raised no objections and planning officers conclude that any harm is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme.
Burntwood Town Council have objected to the plans, stating that there have been numerous developments in the area but no infrastructure improvements in the form of doctors, dentists and schools. They have called on the planning committee to refuse the application.
The local flood authority at Staffordshire County Council have also recommended that permission is not granted as the drainage strategy does not meet best practice and national standards. No other statutory consultee raised concerns over the proposed scheme.
A petition signed by 2,372 residents was submitted to the council, however, as the petition did not contain full names, addresses and a Lichfield postcode, planning officers have ruled that the petition should not be considered as a planning consideration. Additionally, 201 residents raised objections to the council.
Planning officers have recommended that the plans be approved. They state: “The Council cannot demonstrate a 5-year supply of housing land and therefore relevant local plan housing land allocations and supply policies are not up to date and paragraph 11(d) of the Framework is engaged. Whilst the site falls within designated green belt, the proposal would not be inappropriate development and therefore the green belt is not a strong reason for refusing the proposed development.
“The provision of 250 market and affordable homes therefore carries substantial weight in the planning balance. Moderate weight is also attached to the direct benefits from the construction phase and secondary economic benefits from the spend of occupants of the development which would assist the wider economy in the short and long term.
“The impact of the development on landscape character and visual amenity can be appropriately mitigated through landscaping and the retention of existing hedges and trees. A compliant drainage scheme and delivery of a site with resilience to flood risk is achievable and has been demonstrated.
“The proposal would have an acceptable effect on highway safety and capacity. There would be large areas of open space and allotments accessible to the public. These factors carry moderate weight in the planning balance.”
The planning committee is set to meet on Monday 20 July to determine the application.
You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live by visiting publicnoticeportal.uk/express-and-star
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