CONTROVERSIAL HOMES PLAN MOVES STEP FORWARD
CONTROVERSIAL plans for hundreds of new homes on former green belt land in Coventry have taken a step closer, despite opposition from residents.
Coventry City Council is seeking to gain outline planning consent for a huge new housing development on land it owns on Browns Lane, in Allesley.
The greenfield site was allocated for 475 homes in the Local Plan, and plans to prepare an outline planning application by the council’s cabinet in 2018.
The authority is aiming to ready the site for a potential housing development and has said sale of the land would deliver housing needs and provide revenue.
A new ‘scoping opinion’ application has now been submitted, looking at whether environmental impact assessments are needed before a planning application is submitted.
That could be submitted in the summer, the report states.
Some in the area have previously criticised the bid as they said Allesley would not be able to cope with the size of the development, and claim the council is putting “money before residents”.
Ward councillor Glenn Williams said: “We do not want any houses here at all. It will be building on the Coundon Wedge which the council promised they would not.
“It will mean more cars, more pollution and damage our air quality. Where are they going to go to school as well?
“This is building on our precious green belt.
“It came to council a couple years ago but it has been quiet for a long time. It’s typical of the council to try and sneak this through during a time when people will have other things on their mind.”
Consultancy firm Mott Macdonald, who has written the report on behalf of the council, said the development would provide “up to 350 dwellings and 1.87 hectares of extra care provision”, alongside “highways infrastructure, open space and landscape enhancements”.
The development would be accessed off Browns Lane to west and Wall Hill Road/hawkes Mill Lane to north.
An ‘extra care facility’ will be provided using the existing RSPCA access off B4076 Coundon Wedge Drive, the report said.
Councillor Jim O’boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration said residents will be consulted on any future planning application.
He added: “The submission of a scoping request is a procedural matter undertaken prior to the submission of a major planning application.
“Our plans for the land have not changed and are in line with the local plan and discussions with local people.
“We will not submit a planning application until we have consulted with local people.”