More than 100 new homes could be built in picturesque canal conservation area

[dutchman]

Locally listed barns will be demolished if the plans are approved



Councillors are set to decide whether more than 100 new homes can be built in a rural canal-side setting in Longford.

Westleigh Homes has applied to demolish a number of locally listed but dilapidated barns and build 91 houses and 16 flats at Grange Farm in Grange Road.

The developers say three-quarters of the new homes being built would be affordable housing.

It is proposing to build 39 two-bedroom houses, 46 three-bedroom houses and six four-bedroom houses with a total of 160 parking spaces.

The developers have pledged the new housing would retain a “farmyard character” with dwellings “taking the form of agricultural buildings”.

A Grade II listed farmhouse on the site is not affected by the scheme.

In terms of access the application proposes a road access from Grange Road with another pedestrian/cycle access to the south next to the M6 bridge.

Council officers have recommended councillors approve the scheme at the next planning committee on Thursday December 16, pending the completion of a Section 106 agreement by Westleigh Homes to provide at least 25 per cent affordable housing and £160,000 towards off-site highway works.

The officers’ reports says: “The release of the site for housing development is accepted as it is required to help maintain a buffer for the five-year housing land supply.

“Furthermore, it is considered that a satisfactory residential environment will be created on site for future occupiers and that the proposal would preserve the character of the canal conservation area and character and setting of the listed buildings.”

A number of previous applications for the site have been refused or withdrawn but in 2009 permission was granted for farm buildings to be demolished and five homes to be built.

That followed an inspector for Coventry City Council’s Core Strategy in 2009 concluding that the site should be allocated for up to 100 houses. However, the core strategy was never adopted.

Seven letters of objection have been received by the council expressing concerns about a number of issues, including highway safety, increased traffic congestion in Hawkesbury village and the loss of trees and hedgerows.

A petition signed by 33 people was also has been submitted by Coun Lindsley Harvard (Lab, Longford) objecting to the application due to the environmental impact upon the canal conservation area.

The new houses don't look very 'agricultural' to me?

[Melisandre]

No they dont to me either if its the farm by where I use to live it has a pylon in the field they wanted to build houses on the same farm which the houses would have been right next to the M6 . I can now see why so many are selling up and leaving all over Coventry.

[rebbonk]

Like Melisandre, I know the area well. This is a step too far.

[dutchman]

Developers disappointed after Coventry City Council refuses plan for 100 homes in Longford

The developers behind a scheme to build more than 100 new homes in Longford have described its refusal by the city council’s planning committee as “a real disappointment”.

Westleigh Homes said the proposal to build 91 houses and 16 flats in a rural canal-side setting at Grange Farm in Grange Road would have redeveloped a disused site and created homes aimed at first-time buyers.

The house builder added that it had worked closely with Coventry City Council’s planning officers on the proposed development, who had recommended it for approval.

But last week councillors on the planning committee voted unanimously to refuse it.

In the light of the decision Westleigh Homes said it was reviewing its options for the site.

Westleigh’s property director, Matthew Moore, said: “This decision is a real disappointment for us, given that planning officers had recommended it for approval, as well as for local people who would have benefitted from these homes.

“Our proposed scheme offers a prime opportunity to redevelop a disused site and to provide a significant number of homes for first-time buyers.”

Mr Moore added: “As a business, our speciality is providing high-quality affordable developments which help rejuvenate disused sites like this.

“In this instance, we worked hard with planning officers to present a scheme which was acceptable on all policy terms.

“We are reviewing our options in light of this decision.”

I'm guessing a councillor owns a house nearby?

[rebbonk]

There is a scurrilous suggestion doing the rounds that this is Duggins' constituency.

[Melisandre]

It is Rebbonk but also the new builds would be at the back of the properties of old resident homes whom I know well I use to live there I was talking to an old neighbour last summer so I know concerns last year of the traffic after building the other two estates were voiced it has become a danger to try and cross that part of Grange Rd it was bad enough when I lived their in the mid 70s especially with the works traffic from Bayton Rd which was bad back then in fact my dog got ran over and killed . Since then they have built loads of homes around Foxford School an estate where Grangehurst School is now then an estate bottom if Blackhorse Rd then another estate that runs from Grange Road canal bridge right in to Blackhorse Rd which was all fields when I lived tgere when I left to return to Keresley the Chingford estate was just stsrting to be built.