Go-ahead given to build 49 houses in Woolton Hill

In June, Midlands-based property group, Catesby, of Warwick, submitted two applications for outline planning permission to develop Harwood Paddock, including one for up to 49 houses, 14 per cent of which were to be affordable, plus a second application, for up to 67 houses.
Submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, both applications were recommended for approval by planning officers before borough councillors decided by a majority vote last Wednesday evening to approve the application for the smaller development, on condition that the larger one be withdrawn.
The views of villagers opposing any development were represented by Nick Carrell, borough councillor Clive Sanders (Con, East Woodhay) and Graham Dick, the chairman of East Woodhay Parish Council’s planning committee.
Mr Dick said: “I believe we gave as full a representation on behalf of the parish as possible, but ultimately were confronted by planning law from which the development control committee was not prepared to deviate.”
Mr Dick had argued that the site fell outside Woolton Hill’s settlement policy boundary, with no demonstrable need for the development, that it was unsustainable owing to problems with sewage and drainage in the village, that there was a shortage of school places and the extra housing was likely to create additional traffic problems on narrow village roads.
Catesby’s planning director David Morris, confirmed on Monday that the company had withdrawn the second application for 67 houses. He said: “At every stage in the process, we have sought to listen to the community and act on their concerns where possible.
As a result, the number of houses has been reduced by 30 per cent and the density of the development has been reduced to 20 dwellings per hectare,” said Mr Morris.
He said that the land allocated for community use (three-quarters of an acre), such as a new village hall, re-sited doctors’ surgery, pre-school, or allotments, would be accompanied, by an unspecified financial contribution.
“Ultimately it will be for the community to decide what this use will be,” said Mr Morris, adding that the parish council was in discussion with the borough council over the provision of allotments in the parish.
Catesby was discussing with housebuilders the sale of the land and approved outline planning permission, and would inform the parish council accordingly.