Land At Os 9643 4319 Little Comberton

1. 1.The application site is outside of any defined development boundary as defined under adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan Review Policy SWDPR03. The site is therefore defined as being ‘open countryside’ where development strictly controlled subject to other policies in the Plan. The principle of this development for housing development on this site is not established by any of the other housing policies listed within the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review. Furthermore, the scheme would result in a form of development that is poorly related to existing services and facilities, leading to an over-reliance on the private motor vehicle. As such, the proposal is contrary to the spatial strategy of the development plan and represents an unsustainable form of development, conflicting with Policies SWDPR02, SWDPR03 and SWDPR06 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. 2.The proposed development would result in a noticeable impact on the character of the site with the development of an open field which contains ridge and furrow and a change to the density and type of housing in this part of the Little Comberton. Whilst the development of this site would be viewed as part of the existing village in wider views from the National Landscape and landscaping is proposed which would provide some screening, the proposed development would result in a clear and unjustified encroachment into the open countryside, extending the built form of the settlement beyond its clear boundaries. This would undermine the established settlement pattern and erode the strong, defensible edge that currently distinguishes the village from its rural surroundings. For this reason, the proposed development would cause harm to the natural beauty of the Cotswold National Landscape and would not conserve or enhance its special qualities and therefore the application is in conflict with Policies SWDPR31 and SWDPR34 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review.
3. 3.Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed dwellings meet the requirements of Building Regulations Part M4(2) dwelling standard (Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings). In the absence of such evidence, the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the development would deliver an appropriate standard of accessibility and adaptability to meet the needs of a wide range of occupants, including those with reduced mobility. The proposal therefore fails to comply with Policy SWDPR 17 (C) of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and conflicts with the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework in securing inclusive and accessible design.
4. 4.Insufficient information has been provided in order to determine the proposed development's impact upon the historic environment, in particular in terms of the Archaeological potential of the site as appropriate investigation has not been undertaken. As such, the scheme would conflict with Paragraph 207 of the NPPF and Policies SWDPR09 and SWDPR33 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review.
5. 5.Insufficient information has been provided with regard to the baseline habitat calculations and proposed on-site enhancements, therefore it has not been demonstrated how the statutory minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain can be achieved and whether the proposed off-site credits are sufficient. The proposal therefore fails to demonstrate an acceptable biodiversity outcome and is contrary to Policies SWDPR29 and SWDPR30 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and the relevant aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.
6. 6.A section 106 legal agreement has not been completed to secure the provision of the necessary financial contribution towards affordable housing provision on the site. As such the proposal is contrary to policy SWDPR19 and the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document of the adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan Review as well as the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

From the council's decision notice.

Application type

Full planning permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Little Comberton

Date validated

4 March 2026

Consultation expiry

25 April 2026

Consultation start

23 March 2026

Consultation end

25 April 2026

Agent address

35 Rodney Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 1HX

Advertisement expiry

25 April 2026

Documents

56