The Planning Application for 65 houses on the Land Adjacent to the Street, Bramley

User Rating:  / 1

Parent Category: Planning and Development

Category: Planning Applications

Last Updated on Friday, 08 November 2019 10:57

Published on Saturday, 19 March 2016 11:22

Written by Deputy Chair

Hits: 14392

This planning application went in front of the Development Control Committee on the 9th March 2016. This is normal procedure when there are objections to the application, and in this case there were registered 75 on line, 74 against and 1 for accepting the application.

Representation was made at the meeting by the Chair of Bramley Parish Council, Anthony Durrant and by Vice Chair, Malcolm Bell. Representation was made on behalf of Hollins Strategic Land, the applicant.

Whilst the presentations against the application pointed out all the relevant points, too much housing in Bramley at this time, the school bursting at the seams, the traffic problems on the C32, the safety issues, and the complete lack of Infrastructure to give the present community the quality of life they are entitled to and deserve, the committee continued to destroy the village as we know it by accepting the application. This was by a vote of 7 to 4, with both our Borough Councillors voting against backed by two conservative Councillors.
The planning officers of Basingstoke within their report to the Committee recommended the application arguing that it was in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the guide lines for accepting housing published by the government. In following this, then it wipes out any consideration for the impact housing developments will have on the existing community.

They also pointed out cases where applications had been refused at this level, gone to appeal and been accepted on the basis that”It would contribute to the housing shortage of the Borough” and the fact that Basingstoke and Deane do not have a 5 year sustainable land availability. Also, that going to appeal would cost BDBC money because the arguments against refusing were not as strong as the paragraphs within the NPPF directing acceptance. What it effectively means is that housing is far more important than the quality of life that is being affected by the unprecedented growth of houses seen in Bramley over recent years without the improvement in the Infrastructure that is required.

With this application, then within or bordering the development policy boundary of the village we are down for 200 houses at Minchens Lane, 50 houses at Strawberry Fields, 10 houses at the British Legion site, and 65 houses on the land adjacent to the street, and this is besides the 450 within the Parish Boundary at Razors Farm down Cufaude Lane. The Parish Council believes we have done more than enough to contribute to the housing shortage of the Borough and will continue to fight.