Anger as go-ahead given to move gardens on 400-home development

Stonebridge Lane, Warsop
By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter

Developers have been allowed to change conditions on a 400-home Warsop development despite fierce objections from councillors and the public.

Barratt David Wilson Homes lodged amendments to its approved application on Stonebridge Lane which would vary issues such as drainage, phasing, off-site highways works and a ‘buffer zone’.

Under the amended proposals, the developer asked to move the rear gardens of some properties directly onto the five-metre buffer zone to the west of the development site.

This would back onto the nearby Sookholme Brook site of special scientific importance (SSSI) – changes that were supported by Natural England following consultation.

The developer also asked to alter its drainage proposals by amending the steepness of proposed flood banks, as well as increasing the depth of drainage ponds from one to three metres.

This was done, the developer says, following a detailed assessment after discovering the site had “poorer infiltration rates” than originally thought when approved in 2018.

But the proposals were met with criticism by both councillors on the planning committee and members of the public.

Concerns were heard from the Sherwood Forest Friends of the Earth group, noting how a surface water drainage plan on a development this size “needs to be given time for consideration”.

Councillor Andy Burgin (Lab), who represents the Warsop Carrs area where the development will be built, also spoke out against the plans.

He said: “If the developer gets the drainage wrong it will not only impact on existing properties but it will also cause irreversible damage to the already-fragile SSSI.

“They currently have no idea how to overcome these problems and they’re currently trying to buy time at the expense of my ward and my residents.

“There was a reason these conditions were put in place.”

But Barratt David Wilson Homes told the committee the amendments were “essential” in delivering the scheme and would not “undermine” conditions already set out by planners.

A spokesperson told the meeting: “This follows detailed analysis and investigation.

“We are looking to improve the operational effectiveness of the existing, outline planning permission and to deliver earlier the approved infrastructure.

“It is not our intention to undermine or abuse [the existing planning conditions].”

Councillors on the committee raised their own concerns with the amendments and sought to propose an alternative motion.

This would have approved variations on off-site highways and phasing works – which offered little changes – but kept existing conditions on drainage and the buffer zone.

However, councillors voted five votes for and five against for the original proposals.

Councillor Bill Drewett (Mans Ind), chairman of the committee, then cast a deciding vote to allow the conditions to be changed.

The decision was met with an outcry from the public gallery, with one resident branding it “shameful” as he left the room.

The application is due before planners again in September at its reserved matters stage.

During the same planning committee, councillors approved plans for a separate 36-home development in Warsop.

The homes will be built on a field at the junction of Sherwood Street and Oakfield Lane, bringing £121,362 in Section 106 developer contributions to the parish.

This will see investment into an off-site open space, highways, the extension of a local healthcare centre and upgrades to bus facilities.

Two of the 36 homes will be marketed as ‘affordable’.