Issue - meetings

To seek approval from Cabinet for the submitted Comprehensive Masterplan document for the Local Plan residential development site allocation at Low Road, Barrowby (Local Plan Ref: LV-H3).

Purpose of report

To approve the Comprehensive Masterplan document for the Local Plan residential development site allocation at Low Road, Barrowby.

Decision

Cabinet approved the proposed Comprehensive Masterplan (dated June 2023) (Revision Q) enclosed at Appendix 1 of the report as the agreed Masterplan for the Low Road, Barrowby Local Plan allocation.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The alternative of not approving the submitted Comprehensive Masterplan had been discounted. Failure to approval the Masterplan document would have resulted in the planning applications for the remaining parcels of the site allocation being determined in the absence of an agreed masterplan, and this may have resulted in the applications being deemed contrary to the Local Plan policy requirements. This may also have resulted in planning permission being delayed and/or withheld for the site allocation.

This course of action would have implications for the Council in respect of the requirement to maintain a 5-year housing land supply and, as a result, could have led to planning applications for speculative development within the District. Similarly, it may have also resulted in appeals against the refusal/non-determination of planning applications for the remaining site allocation, and the Council may have been liable for costs incurred for defending any decision.

Reasons for decision

The submitted masterplan document was approved to ensure that there was an agreed masterplan for the Low Road, Barrowby Local Plan allocation, which would ensure the comprehensive and co-ordinated delivery of the remainder of the site allocation. This was important because it assisted in ensuring the Council met its corporative objectives in respect of delivering housing that meets the needs of all residents, through the delivery of high-quality, well-designed developments.

The Low Road, Barrowby was within the adopted Local Plan for a development of up to 270 dwellings. There were three parcels of land under three different developers; Persimmon Homes, Allison Homes, and Platform Housing. The Comprehensive Masterplan was the result of extensive engagement between officers, developers and the local community and had included formal consultation with Barrowby Parish Council, local residents and statutory consultees; this would ensure that the site was developed in a holistic and co-ordinated manner. The consultation had identified that the Masterplan had support.

The County Councillor for Barrowby was present and highlighted to Cabinet that there had been good communication with both Persimmon and Allison Homes prior to their houses being built. Platform Housing had built their planned house and supermarket prior to the agreement of the Masterplan. They had however listened to subsequent design concerns. The potential loss of Section 106 monies as a result of this would be raised through the relevant Council channels.

The Council was in continued discussion with Barrowby Parish Council with regard to Persimmon and Allison Homes. The Masterplan was not the end of the process; future applications coming forward for planning permission would have to take into account Section 106 funding.