Planning Application by Bromford Housing to build 110 houses on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) land behind Delavale Road and Mercia Road.

The Planning Application by Bromford Housing to build 110 houses on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) land behind Delavale and Mercia Roads has been submitted May 2021.

The deadline for submitting comments is 5pm on 9 June 2021

The Friends of Winchcombe Committee are totally opposed to this development, which if allowed will be very detrimental to Winchcombe and we urge you all to object to it. Please don’t rely on your neighbour to object for you!

We have prepared our summary case on the attached document and you may use this as the basis for any comments you wish to make to Tewkesbury Borough Council.
We have provided many suggested objections and you don’t need to object using every point; use those that strike a particular chord for you. Please do vary the text using your own words. This will be your final opportunity to make your feelings known.


Please make your objections to the application, via email to:
developmentapplications@tewkesbury.gov.uk or post to:
Tewkesbury Borough Council Planning Dept.,
Council Offices,
Gloucester Road,
Tewkesbury, Glos., GL20 5TT using content supplied in the attached letter. Please sign off making it clear that you object to the Plan on the points raised. 

​Thank you for your continued support.


Template letter contents below:
 
 Tewkesbury Borough Council Planning Dept.,
Council Offices,
Gloucester Road,
Tewkesbury, Glos., GL20 5TT


Dear Sirs,

                                           Planning Application Ref:  21/00496/FUL

I am writing with reference to the above planning application. I have studied the plans; I know the site well and I object to this proposed development on the following grounds. 

• The site lies entirely within the Cotswold AONB and the NPPF paragraph 172 states that "planning permission should be refused for major development other than in exceptional circumstances." I contend that there are no justifiable exceptional circumstances for this development.
• Within the AONB, the site has the highest level of landscape protection where great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty. It would be a development of significance which would have an adverse impact on the AONB, by replacing the current open agricultural land with built development. The AONB designation is of long standing and though it is not unalterable, it is readily understood by the public as conferring a particular status and value of land included within the designation, as well as being a matter of great weight in the National Planning Policy Framework.
• Building on this site would diminish the striking views from many public footpaths above the town.
• There are other sites within Winchcombe where the land is far less prominent in terms of visibility from its surroundings.
• Development of this site is in conflict with the objectives of the adopted Cotswolds AONB management plan 2018-2023.
• The Tewkesbury Borough Local Plan, currently undergoing examination, was required to identify housing development land to meet the requirements of the entire borough area. It is submitted that development within the AONB on the northern boundary of Winchcombe is far less suitable than the many alternatives across the borough.
• There are many other locations in neighbouring villages (Bishops Cleeve) and further afield (Ashchurch, Cheltenham, Gloucester) that are not in the AONB where this type of development would be better located. Planners should consider developing in the wider region before considering building in the AONB.
• In the dismissal of the planning appeal made against the refusal for consent for the development of 35 dwellings on land off Kyderminster Road, Winchcombe (16/00481/OUT), the Planning Inspector identified that the main issue for consideration in the appeal was the effect of the proposed development on the AONB. In that case the subject land was identified as agricultural fields on the northern edge of Winchcombe, comprising gently rising ground, adjacent to but outside the residential development boundary of Winchcombe. The inspector noted that "... the development would represent an intrusion of built development into the AONB and would occupy an area of characteristic agricultural land which forms part of the setting of Langley Hill". The inspector went on to state that the proposed development "…amounts to actual harm to the AONB which would be in conflict with policies SD8 of the emerging JCS and 1.1 of the NP". Development of the AONB behind Delavale and Mercia Roads would be even more harmful to Winchcombe in general and the setting of Langley Hill.
• The site is outside the existing settlement boundary of Winchcombe.
• There is no need for this kind of open market housing in the town following recent major housing developments. There will undoubtedly be a market for new houses in these particular pleasant surroundings, but this does not amount to need.
• The application provides for 55 “affordable” houses but no housing needs survey has been recently conducted.
• Winchcombe would be overwhelmed by further estate development. The Town Council and residents want to maintain and enhance the physical character of our town and surroundings for future generations.
• Whilst Winchcombe is identified as a Rural Service Centre and clearly has a good range of community support facilities, further growth of the local population will create extra burdens on the local road network and services.
• A development of this size will add hugely to the number of vehicles accessing the town centre which is already under traffic pressure.
• The application indicates only one site entrance / exit for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Without a southern access route for cyclists and pedestrians, the site is unsustainable as local car journeys would be greatly encouraged adding to further traffic pressure.

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