Leasowes Road/Laurels Road, Offenham

RCA Regeneration were instructed by David Wilson Homes (Mercia) Ltd to prepare and submit a planning application for 50 dwellings including 40% affordable housing in Offenham. Following a positive office recommendation, permission was refused by Planning Committee on the basis of five year housing land supply, design, Green Infrastructure and lack of S106 Agreement. RCA lodged the appeal via Public Inquiry. To inform the Inquiry a robust assessment of five year housing land supply and available sites was undertaken and a number of scenarios of actual supply put forward during the Inquiry.  Sian Griffiths acted as expert witness, together with two others. Inspector Mike Fox concluded that “The conflict of the proposed development with Local Plan Policy GD1 is outweighed by the lack of compelling evidence to demonstrate that a 5 year supply of deliverable housing in Wychavon is available in relation to objectively assessed need. The proposal would make a strategic contribution towards addressing the shortfall of housing, and especially affordable housing, within the District of Wychavon”. He continued to state that “I have also found that the proposal would be sustainable and would not harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area. Therefore the proposal, subject to those parts of the S106 Obligation which I have endorsed would be in accordance with national planning policy. Whilst my findings will disappoint many residents, the evidence leads me to conclude that the appeal should succeed.” This decision categorically determined that Wychavon District were not able to demonstrate a five year supply.  The scheme is now completed by DWH.