Agenda item

Planning Application Documents

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the report as published. She noted the following updates:

-       The site layout was revised recently. The revisions are relatively minor tweaks to improve garden sizes and distances between properties. Most of the revised layout drawings have been received but there are still one or two outstanding. Any drawing that shows a layout, whether that be drainage or boundary treatment details for example, needs to be adjusted in terms of the correct layout so that they all tally. If Members are minded to permit this application, once the outstanding drawings are received the officer will inform the Chair and Vice Chair of their submission, and before any decision is issued.

There was one public speaker on the item: the applicant’s representative.

The applicant’s representative addressed the committee and made the following points:

-       The site was part of Pittville School’s grounds and became redundant as a playing field, last used in 2009. The site was previously granted planning permission in 2021, but the developer was unable to bring the site forward due to the site requiring Section 77 approval to dispose of the land to raise capital receipts for a new sports hall. This has subsequently been resolved, and the site has been purchased by Newland Homes. The funds generated from the sale of the land have provided the school with the ability to construct a much-needed new indoor sports hall.

-       Planning application was submitted in May 2025 and applicants have worked with officers to agree a scheme that is aesthetically pleasing and is policy compliant.

-       The scheme will deliver 58 new homes, 40% of which will be affordable. This is an appropriate density for the site.

-       The site is located towards the northern edge of Cheltenham, approximately 1.6km from the town centre and within reasonable walking distance to local services. A regular bus service is also available.

-       The site is just over two hectares and is rectangular shape with a narrow treeline section which extends approximately 150m from the site to the west and links with Albert Road.

-       Vehicle access will be taken from Broadacre Road. Gloucestershire County Highways have confirmed that this access, along with the internal road layout and associated parking, is acceptable. Pedestrian access will be provided from Albert Road and Cakebridge Road.

-       Layout provides good separation distances to existing residential dwellings.

-       Ecology and biodiversity and biodiversity enhancements to the site and existing ecology corridors will be retained. Hedgehog highways and bat and bird boxes will be provided within the development, along with new and enhanced tree and shrub planting. Biodiversity net gain will be provided partly on site and partly off site, in line with current legislation.

-       On site open space is provided along with S106 contributions for off site play provisions and improvements to Pittville Park. Contributions will also be provided for allotments and the Cotswold Beechwoods SAC, education and libraries.

-       Newland Homes is a local house builder based in Gloucestershire and established in 1991. As a sustainable developer they became the first house builder to sign up to the United Nations’ Climate Neutral Now pledge, demonstrating commitment to sustainability and striving towards a greener future for all. Completed first zero carbon homes in 2022 in Somerset and build the first zero carbon site in Cheltenham in Leckhampton. Have now completed 225 zero carbon homes, which generate negative amounts of CO2 from the prime energy required for heating hot water, ventilation and lighting, through the use of highly efficient air source heat pumps, extensive solar PV panels and high levels of insulation. Purchasers have reported that they can run their home on £367 per week, including charging an electric vehicle. Properties also include water butts to harvest water, compost areas in gardens and integrated eco bins – small measures that facilitate changes in consumer behaviour.

-       Newland Homes received an award for best high volume new housing development at the Building Excellence Awards in 2025 and a Bee Bold Award in 2024. These awards highlight the company’s outstanding efforts to achieve sustainable homes as well as high standards of design and construction.

-       Hope that the committee see the scheme has been well thought out in terms of design and, with the additional sustainability provisions, will enable the provision of much-needed homes in the area, and contribute positively to local house needs.

In response to Members’ questions, officers confirmed that:

-       The main circular estate road is a herring brick surface with a designated side area for a footpath, which may include a curb line. The detailed road design will go through the Section 38 process. As you come into the site the grey area shown on the submitted drawings will be tarmac that then changes to the proposed brick surface. The road width appears ample for a pedestrian section which we would expect to be made clear to any pedestrian accessing the site. The internal road is designed to be of an adoptable standard.

-       Swift bricks have not been specified within the ecological enhancement proposals, but hedgehog tunnels and homes, and bat and bird boxes have been included.

The matter then went to Member debate where the following points were made:

-       This is a nice development that ticks a lot of boxes councillors have been asking for under the green umbrella. It is relatively low density, relatively similar to local neighbourhoods. Think it has everything going for it and can see no reason to reject the application.

-       Particularly pleased to see 40% social and affordable housing. Do not foresee it causing any problems relating to parking due to design. Do wish that more developers would install swift boxes in terms of net gain. Believe this is about as good a plan as you can get on the plot.

The matter then went to the vote on the officer recommendation to permit subject to a S106 obligation.

For: 10

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Voted UNANIMOUSLY for the officer recommendation to permit the application subject to a S106 obligation.