Development in Witnesham next to Barley Mow pub approved despite criticism from parish council

A 32-home development has won planning permission despite criticism over the lack of affordable houses.

The homes will be built on agricultural land next to Witnesham’s Barley Mow pub and 10 will be affordable.

East Suffolk Council members voted in favour of the application yesterday despite listening to parish council concerns.

The agent for applicant Denbury Homes said: “This is an attractive and well-designed development that delivers on the local plan and officers’ advice.

“It is sympathetic to listed buildings, connects with the public right of way network and includes affordable homes – which will go to those in housing need with connections to the local area first.

“It is a green development with air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.

“Denbury Homes will provide over £740,000 in community infrastructure levy (CIL) funding, half of which will go to the county council and NHS.”

The two-hectare site is allocated for 30 homes in the area’s local plan – an East Suffolk Council document that guides what should be built where.

The grade-two listed buildings are Red House and barns to the southeast of the site and Wood House to the northwest.

A representative from East Suffolk Design and Conservation believes the setting of Red House and barns will not be compromised by the development, while “low level of less than substantial harm” will be caused to Wood House.

CIL is money given by developers for local infrastructure. The £740,000 is expected to go towards expanding education and early years provision as well as health services, libraries, waste management and support for habitats.

A representative from Swilland and Witnesham parish council said: “East Suffolk Council made a big mistake in allocating this large greenfield site for development.

“The development will have a massive impact on our small village, and many residents strongly object.

“But we recognise it has been allocated, so the parish council has been trying to communicate with the developer, landowner and officers to help create a development with benefits to the community.

“Disappointingly, all these attempts have been ignored.”

The representative laid out the amendments the parish council want – including eleven rather than 10 affordable homes, the planting of trees and hedgerow and an added footpath.

The local plan states developments with capacity for ten or more homes should ensure one in three are affordable. This would equal 10.66 in this development and the plans are for ten affordable homes.

The developer will give money equal to 0.66 of a home as part of a section 106 agreement – funds for amenities in development areas. The officer said this is normal and permitted by policy.

Of the affordable homes, five would be for rent – two one-beds and three two-beds. Five would be shared ownership – three two-beds and two three-beds.

Affordable housing tends to mean costs are capped at 80 percent of market value for the area.

A consultation with residents returned 22 objections and nine supporting statements.

The agent for Denbury Homes said the developer had responded to emails by parish councillors and they had been invited to a meeting.

Cllr Stuart Bird said: “This complies with every single planning policy and I think it is an excellent, well-designed development.

“We have not been building enough in this country. I can’t see any grounds for refusal.”

Work on the development is expected to start next May and take 11 months to complete.