A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for 70 houses on an area of outstanding natural beauty in Broadway is to be determined at appeal.

The plans from Redrow Homes were refused by Wychavon District Council on February 28 this year. They related to an area of land between Springfield Lane and Averill Close and incorporated vehicular access from Averill Close, earthworks to allow surface and foul water drainage, landscaping, car parking and ancillary work.

The council detailed reasons for refusal and stated that the proposed houses represented a major development and would be detrimental to the amenity of the area. They said the proposals failed to "safeguard, restore or enhance the character of the natural and built environment ".

It was said that the green wedge of land that separated the residential areas of Springfield Lane and the development off Leamington Road would be a big loss as it broke up the built form and helped to identify the separate urban areas. Planning committee members also opposed the inclusion of three-storey properties which would add to the visual impact.

The council will argue at the hearing that there are other sites within the immediate district but outside the AONB where housing could be built rather than seeking to build within a protected area. These suggestions included a site for a potential 65 homes on Station Road which had been identified by the South Worcestershire Development Plan. Another site in Leamington Road which could accommodate 48 potential homes had also been identified and although was in the AONB, was considered to have less impact on the area than the appeal site.

The council also opposed plans for the proposed access through an existing residential development of 292 dwelling, resulting in 362 dwellings being served by a single access point and which was contrary to the county council's Highways design guide where developments of more than 200 dwellings should be served by a second means of access.

It stated that while noting the applicant's willingness to enter into a series of legal agreements - including 40 per cent affordable housing and community, sport, education and transport enhancements - no firm arrangements had been entered into to secure an agreement.

The inquiry is scheduled to last eight days and will begin on November 18 at 10am at Wychavon District Council's Civic Centre, Pershore.

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