Housing bid Area of outstanding beauty could be used for new estate
ABID to build 250 homes on green fields in Cheltenham has been launched. Developer Robert Hitchins Ltd wants to construct the housing estate on land off Priors Road, by the Sainsbury’s superstore.
Access to the development would be via Harp Hill, and open space, supporting infrastructure and parking are also proposed to be built.
The homebuilder has had its outline planning application validated by Cheltenham Borough Council on July 15, and the development will be up for approval at a later date.
The proposal is to build the homes on land at Oakley Farm in Battledown, between Harp Hill in the south, Pillowell Close in the north and houses and the underground Hewlett’s Reservoir in the east.
The agricultural site covers 14.9 hectares, with Robert Hitchins wanting to demolish the farm buildings to make way for the houses.
In a screening opinion application submitted to the authority last year, the borough council said the land was part of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and that “significant effects on the environment are considered likely”.
Residents in the Friends of Oakley Farm Pasture Slopes group have spoken out against the new housing estate being built.
In an objection lodged with the council, the group said: “AONBS are designated for conservation due to their significant landscape value and in recognition of their national importance. This development proposal will have a significant environmental impact on this sensitive site and will greatly affect the features for which it was designated.”
In its planning application, Robert
Hitchins said there is a need for additional sites to come forward “in order to address the housing land supply shortfall” as it is “widely acknowledgedthat Cheltenham cannot meet its housing requirement”.
Robert Hitchins also said in the document the new development will bring about “economic growth, access points and new connections including footpath routes”.
The developer, in its environmental impact assessment scoping application, said: “The potential effects of the proposed development will be mitigated through a series of measures during both the construction and operational phases.”
Join the debate and stay up to date by following us on Facebook @Gloslive online