Agenda item

Refused, reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application WNS/2023/0351/MAO for an outline application (some matters reserved except for access) for the erection of up to 34 affordable homes and the formation of a new vehicular and pedestrian access from Stoneway at Land South East of Stoneway, Hartwell for Grand Union Housing Group.

Judie Kendrick-Symondson, a local resident, addressed the Committee in objection to the application on the grounds that the proposed development could lead to the flooding of adjacent land, and that there was insufficient detail within the proposals as to how surface water runoff would be managed.

Andy Moger, the Agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application, on the grounds that the proposed development would address an acute under delivery of affordable housing in the legacy South Northamptonshire Council area, with 29 individuals on the local housing waiting list having specified a preference for a property in Hartwell. The Agent also specified that technical matters such as drainage and surface water runoff could be resolved by way of conditions should the application be approved.

It was proposed by Councillor Ken Pritchard and seconded by Councillor Kevin Parker that application WNS/2023/0351/MAO be refused in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, on the grounds that the proposed development, by reason of its siting outside of the settlement confines of Hartwell, fell within the open countryside and did not meet any of the exception criteria in the Development Plan whereby development beyond the settlement confines would be supported. The motion was put to the vote with nine votes cast in favour of the proposal and none cast against, therefore the motion was carried.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered the Case Officer’s report and presentation, the addresses of the public speakers, and the Committee Updates.

Resolved

(1)  That application WNS/2023/0351/MAO be refused for the following reason: 

1.      The location of the proposed development, by reason of its siting outside of the settlement confines of Hartwell, falls within the open countryside and does not meet any of the exceptions in the Development Plan where development would be supported outside of the settlement confines. The need for such housing has also not been robustly demonstrated as part of this application and the proposal therefore fails to meet the requirements of a rural exception site set out in Policy H3b, which requires the scale of such development to be clearly justified by evidence of need through a local housing needs survey. The proposed development also fails to meet the criteria for an entry-level exception site due to the development extending a Secondary Village (B), contrary to Policy LH3(1) The proposed development has therefore not been adequately justified and represents an unsustainable form of development. This conflict is not outweighed by any material consideration. The proposal is therefore unacceptable in principle and is contrary to Policies SA, S1, R1 and H3 of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (Part 1), Policies SS1, LH1 and LH3 of the South Northamptonshire Local Plan (Part 2).