Winchester planning: Three-home plans with 80 objections to be decided

Orchard Homes has applied for the properties, which will replace the current house, in Downside Road, Weeke. 

The scheme has received 84 objections and will be decided by the city council planning committee on Wednesday, April 17. 

The proposal was initially for four homes, but the developer has reduced it to three.

Reasons for objections including fears of over-development and traffic issues.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, who represents the St Barnabas ward, said: “Downside Road is very well used by pedestrians travelling between local services and the upper part of Teg Down, with very low levels of traffic providing a safe and attractive walking route.

“The front homes are much closer to the street and the loss of trees on the site this will create an urban rather than semi-rural feel. These houses are very large but have relatively small amounts of amenity space impacting on the retention of trees and biodiversity on the site. 

“The developer failed to engage with local people prior to application. In discussions with local residents, it is clear that the opportunity has been missed to bring forward a development which would fit in to and be acceptable to the neighbourhood.”

John Rackham, of Grovelands Road, said: “The revised plan for three buildings is still an overdevelopment of the site, it represents a housing density which is much greater than others in the vicinity. The development should only allow for two new buildings.”

Rebecca Denny, of Sawyers Close, said: “The properties (particularly plots 1 and 2) are very close to the site boundary and will overlook the private gardens and properties along Sawyers Close, some of which are bungalows and will be significantly impacted by a loss of privacy.”

In the planning officers' report, it said: “Amended plans were submitted to WCC for consideration on September 26 2023 reducing the number of proposed units from four down to three and reducing the overall height, but incorporating a slight enlargement in footprint. The changes also adjusted the layout in order to reduce impacts upon boundary trees.

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“The proposed development would contribute towards the objectives of the NPPF in relation to boosting housing supply and would be in accordance with the Development Strategy contained within the Winchester Local Plan Part 1 which seeks to direct new residential development towards the built up area of Winchester. The proposed development would (in its amended form) reflect the scale and pattern of development on the area and would not give rise to adverse impacts upon local amenity, highway safety, ecology or trees and it is therefore recommended that planning permission should be granted.”

For more details about the planning application online, search 23/01562/FUL  on Winchester City Council's planning portal.