Plan for steel flatpack home in green belt set for refusal
A DEVELOPER’s plan to build a steel flatpack showhome in the Erewash green belt is set for refusal.
If approved, the plans would see the “exhibition building” built in woodland opposite Hopwell Hall, between Draycott and Ockbrook.
Erewash Borough Council planners have recommended that the application is refused due to it representing “inappropriate” development in the protected green belt.
Councillors will make a decision on the application on Wednesday.
Steve Binch, the director of Green 4 Developments, based at Hopwell Hall, submitted the plans.
Planners say the firm has been operating from Hopwell Hall without “authorisation” and has now applied retrospectively to use a former barn turned home on the site as an office. This will also be decided next week, with planners recommending approval. Residents say the firm should be “penalised”.
Mr Binch’s plan is to construct a showhome for Turkish steel-framed modular building expert Villa Prefabrik, which is seeking an expansion into the UK market.
These homes would be more affordable for tenants due to being more energy efficient and are quicker and cheaper to build.
The Turkish firm requires a site where one of its buildings can be displayed, alongside a location where meetings can be held and clients entertained.
Documents submitted with the application on behalf of Mr Binch by agent Ian McHugh say: “The applicants operate from Hopwell Hall as developers and architects. The business is diverse and covers a wide range of development and building projects with a wide range of clients. These clients are based within the UK and also overseas.
“An opportunity has arisen to work with a company based in Turkey – Villa Prefabrik – that specialises in the construction of steel-framed modular buildings. These include commercial and residential units.
“The advantage of this form of construction is the speed of the construction on site, as the steelwork is manufactured in a factory and imported onto the site.
“The framework can be erected in two to three days and the buildings are then clad and fitted out internally within a matter of weeks.
“These buildings are also highly energy efficient and strive to be carbon neutral. In addition, the costs of construction are considerably less than a traditional build.
“Villa Prefabrik is seeking to diversify its operations and sees a market in the UK for its product.
“My clients have received interest from developers and affordable housing providers who are keen to view an example on site.”
Villa Prefabrik has been approached for comment.
The agent says the council fears the showhome would be used as a house but says this would not be the case and it would not be connected to any utilities.
It would remain on site for up to two years by which point, the agent says, other buildings will have been constructed elsewhere in the UK. It would be built on “pads” instead of foundations.
The agent accepts that the construction of homes in the green belt is “normally inappropriate” and that it would cause “some” harm but says the impact of this development would be “slight” and is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme.
Risley with Hopwell Parish Council and several residents have objected to the plans due to the feared impact on the green belt, wildlife and trees – and the building’s potential use as a home.
Council planners have given a strongly-worded objection recommending refusal to borough councillors. They wrote: “It is noted that modular buildings are not novel, with 15,000 such homes being built in the UK each year by a wide variety of companies.
“Consequently, it is not considered that the justification offered can constitute the very special circumstances needed to overcome the harm in principle of the proposals.
“The suggestion that the proposal would be temporary for an unspecified number of years is also not considered to provide very special circumstances. The proposal will have the same level of impact on openness as a new home.
“In summary, the principle of constructing a new building which, although not occupied as a dwelling, clearly has the appearance of one in this green belt location, is considered contrary to national and local policies which seek to prevent inappropriate development in the green belt.
“The very purpose of the proposed demonstration building is to increase the number of people and vehicle movements to and around the site, which has the potential to impact on residential amenity.”