Three extra flats approved on site of former Marsh Farm children's home

Two one-bed and one two-bedroom apartments will be built in a separate block on the site of a former children’s home in Buckle Close.

The plans for a one- and two-storey addition to the social housing project returned to the local authority’s development control committee.

The vacant site was cleared of buildings about ten years ago, according to a report to councillors.

Building the three flats requires changes to the initial parking and landscaping layout, said the report.

“There has been significant redevelopment of the surrounding area in recent years to regenerate the central part of Marsh Farm, including commercial and residential projects.”

The council’s housing department was granted planning permission for seven one-bedroom, 19 two-bed and eight three-bedroom flats on the brownfield site, a year ago.

The changes to the car parking arrangement meant a new application, including the previously approved scheme, is required, added the report.

Principal planning officer Gemma Davies described the proposals as 100 per cent affordable housing.

“The additional block will provide for better use of the site,” she said.

“It will also incorporate a new footpath improving the safety and layout of Buckle Close.

“The development is in keeping with the aspirations of the Marsh Farm strategic allocation.

“It will result in a reduction of parking spaces from 30, under the approved scheme, to 23.

“This will exceed the anticipated demand. There will be three spaces to serve the extra flats.”

The committee heard last October that the housing would not dominate the nearby church and vicarage.

Opponents of the scheme suggested The Church of the Holy Cross would be overlooked by the apartments.

Their concerns that “irreparable damage” would be caused to the role of the church and vicarage persuaded councillors to arrange a site visit.

At last Wednesday’s meeting, Labour Northwell councillor Anne Donelon explained she was speaking on behalf of the local vicar.

“It’s not a formal objection,” she said. “I’m grateful the bins will be put near the site boundary.

“I understand the noise barrier will be shrubs.” She asked for the vicar to be consulted over a landscaping plan.

Father Richard Brown, from the church, had said there was no objection to the principle of social housing, at a meeting last year, when the plans were deferred.

“I and others are opposed to this because of its negative impact on the use of the vicarage and the church, and the lack of community cohesion,” he explained.

“It would cause irreparable damage to the role and function of the church in this part of Luton.

“A vicarage is not only a home, but a place where sensitive pastoral work is carried out, even in the garden.”

Councillors approved the whole development with nine votes in favour and one against.

Councillor Donelon declined a vote on both applications, saying she was predetermined when the initial proposals were agreed.