Development of 93 dwellings with access roads and provision of wetlands and footpaths and landscaping
Location: Hurst Farm, Wyre Road, Pershore, WR10 2JP
View location on mapApplication Type: Outline
Parish: Pershore
Ward: Pershore
Application Received: 10 January 2014
Statutory Start Date: 28 February 2014
Consultation Period From: 5 March 2014
Consultation Period End: 25 April 2014
Decision Date: 2 April 2015
Case Officer: Emma Worley
Status: Appeal Received
Decision: Refused - Outline
This decision is subject to the following conditions:
The application site lies outside the defined settlement boundary of Pershore as defined under saved Policy GD1 of the adopted Wychavon District Local Plan 2006. Therefore, the proposed development fails to accord with the provisions of Policy GD1 which directs all new development to sustainable locations within defined development boundaries and consequently, this weighs against the proposed development.
The council can demonstrate a robust supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years worth of housing against the objectively assessed housing need identified as recommended by and set by the South Worcestershire Development Plan examination Inspector
Consequently, the housing policies of the adopted development plan are not to be regarded as out of date in terms of paragraph 49 of the Framework. Therefore, the last bullet point of paragraph 14 of the Framework is not engaged and Policy GD1 continues to carry the weight of the statutory development plan with respect to the distribution of housing development.
In any case, the development overall fails to satisfactorily contribute to the social and environmental roles of sustainable development by reason of the following:
- The site is not considered accessible to local services and facilities without the need for private transport; and - The adverse visual impact upon landscape character and consolidation of settlements
Overall, the proposed development fails to represents sustainable development as set out in the Framework and the harm caused by the proposal significantly and demonstrably outweighs any benefits of the scheme.
The proposed development is therefore contrary to saved Policies GD1, ENV1, SR5 of the Wychavon District Local Plan (2006); emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan (2013) Policies SWDP1, SWDP2 and SWDP25 as well as policy guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (2012), in particular paragraphs 6, 7 & 8.
Whilst noting the applicants willingness to enter into a Section 106 legal agreement, no secure arrangements are in place to secure:
- the provision of affordable housing; and - the provision of a contribution towards the maintenance of on-site public open space; and - the provision of a contribution to be made towards the upgrading of the nearby bus stop and the Worcestershire Transport Strategy; and - the provision of a contribution towards off site formal sports facilities; and - the provision of a contribution towards the provision of off-site built sports facilities; and - the provision of a contribution to waste and recycling collections; - the provision of a contribution towards community buildings; and - the provision of a contribution towards cycling;
As such, the proposed development does not meet the objectives of sustainable development and cannot be delivered with acceptable impacts on the community and the environment. Therefore the application is contrary to saved Policies GD3, SR5, COM2 and COM12 of the Wychavon District Local Plan (June 2006), Policies SWDP7 and SWDP15 of the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan and the provisions of the Council's Supplementary Planning Guidance on Developer Contributions, the Council's Affordable Housing SPG, the council's Supplementary Planning Document on Education Contributions (April 2007) as well as the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Keetley Developments
Hurst Farm
Wyre Road
Pershore
WORCS
Mr R Alexander
The Ainley Alexander Partnership Ltd
16 Sansome Walk
Worcester
Note: The map marker shows the approximate centre of the application postcode, if available, or the nearest geocoded location from the address. The actual location may be slightly different.