Green light for proposals for 20 Kingsclere affordable homes

A planning application by Sentinel Housing Association to build three two bedroom and five three bedroom affordable houses, of brick and tile construction and simple style, at the rear of Longcroft Road in the village were approved by Basingstoke and Deane borough councillors at a planning meeting in Basingstoke last Wednesday evening (Oct 24), despite the application lying outside the village settlement policy boundary.
Five letters of objection had been received to the proposals - which include 16 parking spaces - including that there would be increased traffic along Longcroft Road and the A339 and parking issues within Longcroft Road.
Loss of trees and loss of wildlife habitat and increased noise from the A339 due to this was also an issue, with a 2.9m acoustic fence to be erected along the northern boundary of the site with the A339 to combat the latter.
Loss of pleasant views, and loss of privacy were further concerns and the borough councillor’s tree officer had raised concerns that future occupants would be required to trim, or remove trees adjacent to the A339, which would require Highways Authority permission.
Safety implications for a nearby children’s play area and loss of market value to nearby homes, the impact of the development on infrastructure services, particularly water supply and concerns over any changes to a footpath beside allotments in the same road were additional issues.
However councillors went along with a recommendation by planning officers to approve the application and who had pointed out a high level of need for affordable housing in the village.
Papers prepared by planning officers in advance of the meeting stated: “Whilst the proposed development would have some impact on the landscape character of the area it is considered that the wider benefits to the community with regard to the provision of rural affordable housing to meet an identified need outweighs the impact caused by the development.”