By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Ashfield District Council could allow eight new homes to be built on the grounds of an existing house close to the district’s border with Mansfield.
The authority’s planning committee will discuss the plans, at Cauldwell House, off Cauldwell Road, on Wednesday (February 1).
The development was lodged to the council by applicants Stephen Atkinson and P&DG Planning and Design Group last year.
The existing building would remain as part of the proposals, with the applicants confirming none of the homes would be higher than two storeys.
Documents reveal the new homes would be accessed off the existing entry point to the house on Cauldwell Road, which would be upgraded.
The road previously connected to Coxmoor Road, close to the Hamilton Road industrial estate, but was closed to through traffic when the A617 MARR route opened.
Nottinghamshire County Council, the local highways authority, has raised no objections to the proposals.
No other details for the development have been put forward, with other matters to be confirmed in future planning applications.
Planning papers say five objections to the plans have been raised by three individual properties or people.
These raise concerns over construction disturbance, loss of privacy, overshadowing, the impact on wildlife, the loss of green space and highways concerns.
Other issues include parking problems on Cauldwell Road, drainage and local schools currently being over-subscribed.
However, the council’s planning department believes the plans should be given the go-ahead and have recommended approval this week.
If councillors rubberstamp the application, the applicants would need to offer more detailed plans before construction could begin on the homes.
It follows developers pointing out that the authority currently cannot meet a five-year supply of new housing.
They add that a precedent has been set after a separate development on a neighbouring home was approved by the council in the past.
And the applicants say the development would be close to existing housing and facilities in Mansfield and could be seen as an extension of the town.
“The proposal and its location provide real opportunities to deliver a scheme which is attractive, sustainable with biodiversity enhancements and using low energy housing, an exemplar in design,” they added.
The council’s planning department agrees, saying in a report: “The site is located approximately 200m away from the main urban area of the adjacent settlement of Mansfield.
“Bus stops are located on the A60 Nottingham Road (north-east), an approximate 12-minute walk away, with public bridleways spanning to the west.”
Officers added: “Significant weight [is] attached to the district’s housing shortfall, alongside considerations relating to the sustainability of the area.
“Therefore, [it is] recommended this application should be granted planning permission.”
The report says existing on-site habitats were deemed to be of “poor value” to existing nature.
Twenty-three trees would need to be removed to bring the scheme forwards, but the area would still benefit from a “heavy tree coverage”.
The developers could be asked to contribute cash towards an off-site tree planting scheme as a condition for the planning permission if councillors vote in favour this week.
