By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a major new housing development in a Nottinghamshire village could be given approval next week.
Housebuilder Avant Homes applied to Broxtowe Borough Council to build 250 homes in Awsworth village last summer.
Outline planning application for the wider scheme has already been granted, with the current and more detailed plans to be presented to councillors on February 1.
Documents confirm there will be a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes on the development, with 20 per cent to be ‘affordable’ housing.
The plans also promise areas of open space and a children’s play area.
If approved, the homes would be built to the west of Awsworth in Shilo Way and would have secondary access from Newtons Lane.
When outline plans were first put forward for the 10-acre site, concerns were raised about the existing Whitehouse Farm building. This has since been demolished.
But last year, further concerns were raised about how the new development will be integrated into the small Broxtowe village.
Councillor Michael Smith, vice-chair of Awsworth Parish Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service last summer that the plans have “long been anticipated”.
He added: “We now know that Avant Homes are the single preferred developer. The layout of the site is not a surprise to me.
“There’s no easy way to integrate 250 new homes with the existing village, in particular the housing estate which is on the edge of the site.
“It is difficult and we have our own issues with access.”
A further 47 letters of objection have since been submitted to the council.
These include concerns over the loss of greenfield land, views and wildlife, the impact on schools, doctors and dentists and highways safety.
Other concerns include traffic, over-development and excessive housing density and the loss of privacy, daylight and sunlight.
However, planning documents published ahead of the committee meeting next week (February 1) reveal the scheme has been recommended for approval.
The council’s planning department said: “The development would provide additional affordable housing in a sustainable location.
“[This] could contribute to the housing targets for the borough and provide a wide range of size of housing to meet the needs of the community.
“The design and layout provide a range of dwelling types and styles, enhancing the existing environment by providing attractive green spaces and ease of movement for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
“The proposed layout will not give rise to any significant impacts upon the residential amenity of existing neighbouring properties and will provide adequate amenity spaces both internally and externally for future occupiers.”
Developer Avant Homes also previously outlined some of the benefits of its plans.
The company said: “Dwellings are proposed over-looking all prominent areas of public realm to enhance the visual impact of the open space but also to provide surveillance.
“Specific house types have been positioned at key corners in order to animate the street and address corners effectively.
“Key frontages have been carefully considered to enhance prominent areas and ensure a strong identity is created for the development.”
