Plans to build a new home next to a “Land Rover scrapyard” in Cheltenham have been given the go-ahead. Sara Richardson has been granted permission by Cheltenham Borough Council to develop 123 sq metres of land at 1 Coltham Fields in Battledown.
The site, which is accessible via Coltham Fields which is a no through road leading from Hales Road, is a vacant parcel of land which is currently enclosed by timber fencing and appears currently overgrown with shrubs. A garage and tree once occupied the site but these were removed some years ago.
Councillors disagreed with officers’ recommendations to reject the proposals on design grounds at the planning committee meeting on December 19. They voted to grant permission for the detached house development which includes off road parking.
A letter from the applicant was read out at the meeting which said: “Our family and I have been priced out of a house in Cheltenham so we moved to Gloucester ten years ago.
“This application is a chance for us to move back close to our family and friends which we miss so much and provide the important support network for our growing family.
“My husband grew up in Eldon Road, just a few hundred metres along Hales Road. The site has an existing permission but the design does not suit our needs.”
They said they listened to feedback and came up with a new design for the site which would provide much more outside amenity space.
“Many of our neighbours support the scheme, especially the ones who live right next door. They are really excited about the possibility of having a nice property adjacent to them.
“The site is currently an eyesore with an ugly concrete block wall topped with razor wire enclosing the Land Rover scrapyard.”
The development site outlined in red
(Image: CBC)
Simon Firkins, the applicant’s agent, spoke in favour of the proposals at the meeting on December 19. He said his client intends to build a bespoke home for themselves. He said it was not viable to build the home approved in 2022.
“We think it is appropriate,” he said. “There are no objections from statutory consultees.
“It provides double the parking and more than double the amenity space of the approved dwelling. I don’t understand the concerns about the amenity space when the approved scheme had the same type space being elevated and enclosed but was less than half the size.
“Of the 13 letters of support, seven are from within a stone’s throw of the site with four or five from the street itself.”
He said locals said they liked the design and it is preferable to the “destruction of irreplaceable greenfield sites”.
Locals said they liked the design and it is preferable to the “destruction of irreplaceable greenfield sites”
(Image: CBC)
Councillor Chris Day (LD, Battledown) also spoke in favour of the proposals and called on the committee to approve the scheme. “Members who attended the planning view will have seen the high fencing topped with barbed wire and piled carcasses of rusting Land Rovers reaching above the fence.
“The application before the committee is a substantial improvement on this current street scene.”
During the debate, Cllr Paul Baker (LD, Charlton Park) said he was inclined to support the application and proposed granting permission and this was seconded by Cllr Simon Wheeler (LD, Hesters Way). The committee voted unanimously to grant permission.