Nine homes near Waltham refused on the grounds of being in the open countryside

Councillors went against a recommendation to approve the scheme, and unanimously refused it

Nine homes proposed on the outskirts of Waltham have been decisively rejected by councillors. An outline planning application had been made for nine houses off Mushroom Lane, Brigsley, which is just to the south of Waltham, off the B1203.

The development was outside of North East Lincolnshire Council ‘s Local Plan for allocated housing land, and the application form indicated the homes would comprise three three-bed houses and five four or more bed houses. Plans for eight homes on the site were refused in 2017, with a planning inspector later backing this decision.

But the council currently cannot demonstrate a five year housing supply, after a much-increased Government target, and this is critical to allow it to be able to prevent housing outside of the Local Plan. Despite this, the council’s planning committee refused on the grounds of location in open countryside, impact on the area’s character, and sustainability concerns too.

Without a five year supply, a tilted balance in favour of approval of sustainable developments outside the Local Plan has to be applied to planning applications. The nine homes off Mushroom Lane were consequently recommended for approval by council officers, but going against this advice did not deter councillors.

‘We can’t be blind to the situation’

A council planning officer outlined the main reasons the application was being decided by councillors was due to being outside of the Local Plan and Waltham Parish Council’s objection for this reason. Resident responses had been mixed, with three properties in Mushroom Lane and Brigsley Grange Close actually expressing support.

The planning officer said of the council’s five year supply situation, “We can’t be blind to the situation we do need to consider such items.” It was felt the application would not have an adverse impact on the area, and could meet sustainability requirements with conditions, he told councillors.

Agent Daniel Snowden said the scheme would be a mix of detached and semi-detached homes. Mushroom Lane was previously developed by the applicants in 2017 and on the basis of its success, it was the applicants’ intention “to continue on from the development and create further high-quality housing”.

He added a sustainability assessment had been provided to evidence the site is within walking and cycling distance of Waltham village centre. On the housing supply situation, he stated: “The authority must consider increasing the supply by looking at sites like this one.”

Cllr Ian Lindley (Scartho Ward) said such applications “really do test our resolve. I’m quite clear, and I think I’ve been in the past, around applications that aren’t in the Local Plan and I think I’ve always voted accordingly. Nothing’s changed.”

He argued refusal on the grounds of landscape impact and location sustainability. “I’m not going to make a decision based on the fact that if we refuse it this might get to the inspector.”

“In this instance, I can’t see anything that’s changed from the last application.” Cllr Tim Mickleburgh (South) agreed, stating councillors on the committee owed it to borough residents “to decide each issue on its merits, not whether there’s an appeal later”.

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Cllr Kevin Shutt (Heneage) expressed frustration councillors were having to make a decision made years ago with the previous application, and referenced a need for more focus on affordable housing locally. “We have to start getting away and start thinking about what less affluent people need.” The nine homes application was unanimously refused.

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