Land North of Milcote Road, Welford-on-Avon Public Inquiry

A public inquiry starts next week on Tuesday 21 October, following an appeal by Gladman Developments Ltd against the development of land North of Milcote Road, Welford-on-Avon.

The appeal relates to an outline application with means of access from Milcote Road to be determined (internal access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved for subsequent approval) for residential development of up to 95 homes, parking, public open space and associated infrastructure under planning application 13/02335/OUT.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has refused the application on the following grounds:

• Detrimental impact on the landscape character and visual amenity of the area.
• The scale of the proposed development is excessive given the size and character of Welford on Avon and the appropriate role of rural settlements in meeting housing requirements for the district.
• In the absence of a signed S106 agreement the village infrastructure would be unable to support the cumulative impact of the proposed scale of development.
• The cumulative adverse impact of the development when assessed against all three dimensions of sustainable development as set out in the NPPF, together with the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, would be significant and demonstrable and would outweigh the benefits of the development. The development does not constitute a sustainable form of development.

The inquiry, expected to last for 7 days, will be held for 4 days (21^st to 24^th October 2014) at The Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon and for 3 days (28^th to 30^th October 2014) at the District Council Offices, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6HX starting at 10am.  A Government Planning Inspector will preside over the inquiry.

Members of the public may attend the inquiry and express their view – at the discretion of the inspector.

Planning Inspectorate Reference: APP/J3720/A/14/2217495.