Plans to build 44 homes on over five acres of farmland off School Lane in the Gloucestershire village of Whitminster have been approved despite concerns raised about parking, overdevelopment, and the planning process.
MF Freeman received planning permission from Stroud District Council to develop the housing estate, with 30 per cent of the homes designated as affordable housing. The company was represented at the development control committee meeting on September 22 by Henry Clegg of Black Box Planning.
Mr Clegg described the scheme as a high-quality, sustainable development fitting for the village’s edge, noting the site had already been granted approval in principle. He also emphasised the commitment of MF Freeman, a family-run county business, to delivering energy-efficient homes built to a lasting standard.
Whitminster Parish Council voiced opposition to the plans, expressing concerns that the site would be overdeveloped and that no meaningful public consultation had taken place regarding detailed designs and facilities. Parish councillor Chris Hunt highlighted issues with parking arrangements, particularly the use of stacked or tandem parking, which can cause vehicles to be blocked. He cited similar problems in nearby Great Oldbury, where residents avoid tandem parking, leading to roadside parking and nuisance.
Additional worries focused on visitor parking spaces, which were increased but now reportedly constrict footpaths and cause cars to protrude onto the road.
During discussions, a procedural issue arose when the council’s senior planning lawyer sought clarification from the developer’s representative regarding affordable housing details. Councillors Lindsay Green and chairman Martin Baxendale noted that direct verbal exchanges between council officers and the developer’s representatives were unusual but accepted the reason given: to avoid miscommunication and ensure the committee received accurate information.
Councillor Dave Mathews reported that the developer was receptive to the suggestion of a traffic management plan, including regulated access times to prevent construction traffic clashing with the school run. Officers noted positive engagement from MF Freeman on such matters.
Some councillors, such as Moya Shannon, expressed reservations about the amount of proposed parking and the locations of bin stores, some positioned on the development’s perimeter. Councillor Gary Luff supported the scheme overall but proposed advisories concerning delivery vehicle timings near the local school.
Concerns about the fairness of the process were raised due to the developer having the opportunity to provide additional clarifying information during the meeting that was not available to others beforehand. Senior planning officer Alena Dollimore confirmed that previous statements regarding affordable rent were accurate based on existing agreements.
The committee acknowledged that while the communication during the meeting was procedurally imperfect, it did not constitute a legal issue.
Ultimately, the committee voted to grant delegated permission for the development by seven votes to none, with two abstentions.