Community backlash after council gives green light for 16 new homes in hamlet near Horsley

A TINY hamlet near Horsley is set to almost double in size after plans for a 16 house development were given the green light by the district’s planning committee.

Proposals for the new homes in Nupend were given full planning permission by Stroud District Council last Tuesday, despite heartfelt protests from residents, ward councillors and Horsley Parish Council.

Edenstone Homes will now demolish a mix of modern and listed agricultural buildings at Nupend Farm in Boscombe Lane to make way for a new-look housing development.

Spades are due to hit the ground in summer 2017 to build eleven four-and-five-bedroom houses, with price tags worth several hundred thousand pounds.

Alongside these luxury houses there will also be five affordable two-and-three-bedroom houses and car parking.

At a total of 16 properties, it will almost double the size of the small community, which currently has only 21 houses.

A spokesperson for the developer said: “Edenstone Homes are pleased that SDC approved the application.

“The proposed development will be a high quality development sympathetic to the site and setting and will be constructed from natural stone and quality materials.

“Work will now commence to agree final details with Stroud District Council and prepare the site for a construction start this summer.”

However, furious homeowners in Nupend and Horsley have now called on the chair of the development control committee (DCC) Cllr Tom Williams to revoke the decision, claiming that important aspects of the Planning Officers’ advice were misrepresented.

A spokesman from the residents group said: “We believe the members of the DCC were misled by officers on a number of material issues concerning the planning application for a housing estate on Nupend Farm, Horsley.

“We urge the DCC to look again at the application on the basis of the 2015 Stroud District Local Plan and an updated and impartial officer’s report that takes account of the observations and concerns that have been raised.”

In particular they highlight issues around what they say was a clear change in circumstances between the approved scheme and a previous planning application.

The group also highlight the significance of changes to the area’s five-year land supply, the definition of Nupend Farm site as a brownfield site and the significance of sustainability.

Campaigners had previously raised concerns that the build would completely change the face of the area, put more pressure on the village school and increase traffic on the roads.

The development also lies in an AONB and outside the village settlement boundary.

The planning application on SDC’s website gathered hundreds of objections.

The approved application was adapted after previous proposals were also passed by the council’s development committee back in November 2015.

The revised plans were shaped to fit more in line with the Stroud District Local Plan, which was also adopted in November that year.

Nupend Farm is located to the south of the B4058, which is the main road running through the village of Horsley, near Nailsworth.

The site is 1.48 hectares and currently includes 13 large modern agricultural buildings.

The area also includes English Heritage Building Nupend Farmhouse and a Grade II listed stone barn, both of which will be demolished.

As part of the agreement, Edenstone Homes has pledged to make a “financial contribution” of £43,400 towards the local community, and £40,900 to the education authority Gloucestershire County Council.

The vote at SDC was overwhelmingly passed by eight votes to four.