HUNDREDS MORE NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT IN TOWN
HUNDREDS of homes look set to be given the go ahead, paving the way for what would be the third proposed new housing development in a Nuneaton community.
It is being recommended that Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council rubber-stamp the application for 453 homes on land off Higham Lane, next to Nuneaton Fields Farm.
Persimmon Homes wants the green light to build a mixture of detached, semidetached and terraced houses, and some detached bungalows on the land north of Milby Drive.
Initially, an original application was submitted in May 2016 for 493 homes but now the figure has been reduced to 453.
Planning officers at the Town Hall are recommending that, subject to any further comments prior to the deadline on April 13, that the head of development control at the council be given delegated authority to grant planning permission.
This is despite a wave of objections to the proposals, including 45 letters of objection from 36 addresses as well as four anonymous letters and concerts raised by the Nuneaton Society.
Key concerns include over development in the area, the impact on traffic in the area, including the busy A5, air pollution, noise and impact on school places.
Complainants also raised the fact that there is also another two housing developments planned in the area - at Callendar Farm and Top Farm. In terms of roads, the main access is proposed to be a signalised junction from Higham Lane with an emergency access close to this to the south. A second access linking this site to The Long Shoot, which will be across Nuneaton Fields Farm through to the Callendar Farm planning application site, is proposed. This will provide part of the proposed Northern Nuneaton Link Road, which is outlined in the transport section of the borough council’s masterplan for all future development, known as the Borough Plan.
Also, through conditions attached to giving the plan the go-ahead, funding would be provided towards more school places as well as cash being given towards major road projects, such as the A444 Leicester Road / A47 Hinckley Road Junctions on the approach to the town centre as well as works on the A47 HinckleyRoad / Higham Lane Junction.
The report states: “Due to the cumulative impact the Highway Authority has identified the full cost of the highway mitigation schemes to enable the delivering of the housing and employment allocations within the submitted emerging Plan and as identified within the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Where funding will not be provided by national government, it is proposed to be funded via a legal agreement so that each new home pays for these improvements.”
It is this, alongside other conditions, that the council is recommending that the plans be given the go-ahead.
“Having regard to the pattern of existing development in the area, relevant provisions of the development plan, and the consultation responses received, it is considered that subject to compliance with the conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, that the proposed development would be in accordance with the development plan, would not materially harm the character or appearance of the area or the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience,” the report concludes.
Planning members will meet to discuss the proposals on April 3.
...the proposed development would be in accordance with the development plan, would not materially harm the character of the area... Report