Romsey planning: Gladman's plan for 270 homes refused

Developer Gladman submitted the proposal, for land in Halterworth Lane, at the end of January and it received 148 objections. 

The application included the potential future expansion of Halterworth Primary School, public open space, structural planting and landscaping, sustainable drainage system and access points.

However, it was widely criticised as the land is not earmarked for development in the latest update to the draft local plan.

Romsey MP Caroline Nokes previously slammed the proposal, saying: “This is yet another speculative application by Gladman, who have form for this all over the country. 

“TVBC works hard with residents through the planning process to protect local gaps between settlements and important open spaces. Gladman, as ever, is seeking to drive a coach and horses through that, and ignoring the views of residents and elected representatives.”

READ MORE: Romsey planning: Gladman's plan for 270 homes sparks 144 objections

The scheme also had objections from Romsey Town Council's planning committee and the Romsey and District Society. 

The town council's objection said: “The site falls outside the settlement area. The site is within a designated local gap. Access onto Halterworth Lane will create traffic congestion at school time. TVBC has in excess of a five-year housing land supply and therefore the site is not required.”

The application was refused by Test Valley Borough Council on April 23 using delegated powers.

This means it was decided by officers without the planning committee. 

The decision notice said: “The proposal would provide a number of homes which would broadly be in the public benefit but the application site is located in an area designated as countryside and within a local gap which would create a significant detrimental impact to the established landscape character of the surrounding area, the right of way and local gap.

“Furthermore the council has a current housing land supply that enables the LPA (local planning authority) to conclude that the current TVBRLP (local plan) is up to date (and can afford significant weight to that position), and enable the LPA to decide its own future direction of the development of its settlements (i.e. the recent decision to progress with the published Regulation 18 LP consultation that does not include this site as an allocation, but also reinforces the importance of the local gap by reconfirming it's commitment to it). 

“Also weighing against this development is the lack of legal agreement to secure specific highways and rights of way mitigation, nitrate mitigation, New Forest SPA mitigation, affordable housing, health infrastructure, public art, enlargements to Halterworth Primary School, skills and training provisions and POS. Cumulatively, this harm outweighs the benefits and planning permission is refused.”

Gladman has been contacted for a comment.