AFTER refusal for planning permission to erect 47 new homes on Bratton Road last year, the application has been resubmitted despite local residents’ fight for privacy.
Last year, Mr R Nevill applied for planning permission to transform his owned land on Bratton Road into a housing development of 47 houses.
The plans were refused by Wiltshire Council on Wednesday 25th January 2017 due to the site not fulfilling Westbury’s needs, conflicting with the plan-led approach for Wiltshire and the application fails to demonstrate how the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development has been met.
Mr R Nevill appealed this decision on Wednesday 9th August with an expected outcome to be finalised after a 4-day inquiry on Tuesday 1st May.
In November, he resubmitted the planning application under a new name of Mr RE Nevill and using a new planning agent, Emery Planning Partner Partnership (EPPP), and continues his fight to transform his land.
In the planning statement, EPPP on behalf of Mr R Nevill explain the reasonings behind the resubmission, stating, “This planning application has been submitted as the applicant considers that the planning balance undertaken then was not correct and also that matters have materially moved on from that decision. The Appellant has also agreed that the preferred developer will be Wainhomes who would deliver the site within 18 months of a commencement on site. Therefore the site is deliverable.
“We will conclude that there are significant benefits which, in summary, are: The delivery of new housing in an authority which has persistently under delivered both open market and affordable housing.
“Development in a sustainable location close to the wide range of services and facilities in Westbury.The delivery of 30% affordable housing which accords with the adopted development plan in an area where there is significant need.
“The provision of open and play space to meet the needs of future residents. Financial contributions set out in the Section 106 agreement towards facilities in the local area.
“Provision of jobs during the construction phase of the development which is an important contributor to the economic and social success of the area. The provision of New Homes Bonus and Council Tax revenues.
“On that basis, the presumption is in favour of the proposed development and planning permission should be granted accordingly.”
However, local residents of Bratton Road are still fighting for the resubmission to fall the same way as previous attempts.
Malcolm Watson, who lives on Bratton Road has commented on how the new development will affect him and several other houses in the area.
Malcolm Watson said, “The previous application by the land owner is currently under appeal! This site is not suitable for housing development. It is outside of the town planning area for Westbury, the land although listed as agricultural use is “green belt”. The proposed design is not “in keeping” with current dwellings on Bratton Road.
“The proposed entrance is “an accident waiting to happen”. The site is also a major confluence of various wildlife, including adders, protected species of bats, numerous types of raptor (hawks, bustards, kites etc) .
“As previously stated, once current developments in the town have been completed, Westbury will have an “excess” of dwellings available, so these are not needed. The applicant seems to think that if he keeps pushing he will get his way. Landowners such as this, should not be allowed to “bully” local authorities into granting permissions, by making it “uneconomical” for the authority to fight it further on.
“Submitting yet another application for a site already under appeal, is plainly an attempt to try and “slip under the radar” of those opposed to the previous application while they concentrate on the appeal.
“On a personal note, these current plans would have me being able to stand at my back door and look straight into the new houses’ windows.We have also been informed by local estate agents, that any development of the site, would reduce the value of the three properties closest by “up to 27%” due to loss of privacy, added “noise pollution”, added “light pollution”, loss of wildlife and “reduced security.”
“The town”s medical centre is in a constant state of being overwhelmed, and local school services are at breaking point, the current traffic status in the town is at an all time high because the county won”t build a “western bypass”, the central area of the town is dying off due to lack of investment, shops are closing. We don”t even have a main post office any more!
“To make my point clear; another “housing development” is not needed, not wanted, would destroy wildlife and archaeological heritage, as well as make a busy road far more dangerous that it already is. Numerous “near misses” and actual collisions are almost a daily occurrence at the junction between Bitham Park and Bratton Road, only a few hundred yards from this land’s proposed entrance. The sound of screeching brakes, car horns and skidding vehicles is a daily occurrence.”
The consultation is due to expire on Friday 5th January, with a target date for decision proposed as Friday 16th February. To take a look at the full planning application please visit the Wiltshire Council website planning page and use the planning number 17/11359/OUT.
