Go-ahead for 11-home Bradfield Southend plan
Parish council’s concerns over height dismissed after planning officer’s advice
WEST Berkshire Council has given the green light to plans for an 11-dwelling development in Bradfield Southend, amid concerns over the homes’ visual impact.
The plans for outline planning permission on the site north of Stretton Close had first been rejected when they came before the council’s eastern area planning committee in 2018, but a successful appeal the following March reversed this.
And last Wednesday, a reserved matters application over the appearance and landscaping of the homes went before the committee.
Bradfield Parish Council opposed the plans, expressing concern that some of the proposed houses would be more than two storeys high.
However, these concerns were dismissed, with councillors informed by planning officer Michael Butler that doubts over the structure’s height was not reason enough to reject them.
Outlining council policy on aesthetic matters and their relation to the Bradfield Southend development, Mr Butler said: “Development should function well on the site in question and should insofar as possible reflect the local character of the area, in terms of appearance and local landscaping.
“A strong sense of place should be achieved if possible and places should be attractive and welcoming to live in.
“The site potential in addition should be optimised, in terms of overall density, where possible, to make the best use of land.
“It is considered that the varied designs promoted by the applicant’s architect has successfully created a range of attractive designs, which not only will produce a varied street scene, but which will be in keeping with their surroundings.
“Most dwellings are 1.5 storey (only two are 2.5 storey) and none are above 8.5m to ridge as stipulated via condition on the outline permission.
“In addition, the proposed appearance of all of the affordable dwellings is considered to be tenure blind in that the elevational treatment and materials will be of similar tone to the open market dwellings.”
Councillor Graham Pask (Con, Bucklebury) echoed the general sentiments expressed by his colleagues.
As officers had found that the proposed development would not be in violation of height restrictions, Mr Pask did not believe he could vote against approval on such grounds.
However, he spoke out over the lack of electric vehicle charging points – another issue flagged up by the parish council – noting that even minor developments the committee has recently seen have integrated such eco-friendly provisions.
Mr Pask said: “This council has rightly declared a climate emergency.
“We should all be sensitive to the use of carbon fuels.
“I am very unhappy, chairman – I’m putting this marker down to see what other members think – of the lack of electric car charging points.
“We know the direction from this, and any other government, in the provision for electric cars, and it is essential, in my humble opinion, for new properties.
“I am puzzled and bewildered as to why this applicant hasn't put that in.
“I think this is a golden opportunity missed by this developer.”
In the end, the application was approved by the committee, with the stipulated condition that the developer make provision for charging points.