Plans for up to 75 homes in Toddington greenbelt approved despite concerns
A housing project in the greenbelt at Toddington has been approved, which will result in “irreversible changes” to the village, a meeting heard.
Applicant Colecar Strategic Land submitted outline plans for up to 75 homes on land off Leighton Road, next to Fairview Farm.
Its proposals also feature public open space with a play area, landscaping, internal roads and other infrastructure, according to a report to Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee.
The eight-acre grassland site is in open countryside and the greenbelt, and isn’t allocated for development in the CBC Local Plan, said the report.
“There would be a mix of housing types, including detached, semi-detached and terraced properties of up to two storeys in height, with 49 per cent or up to 37 homes affordable.
“Ten per cent or up to eight units would be offered as self-build or custom housing.”
Principal planning officer Andrew Cundy told the committee: “The very nature of this proposal would harm the openness of the greenbelt.
“The council has no five-year land supply,” he explained. “The affordable housing provision is 19 per cent higher than the policy requirement, while there’s traffic calming on Leighton Road and improvements to the rights-of-way network.
“It’s your officers’ view that these amount to very special circumstances that planning permission should be granted.”
Toddington Parish Council objected as it would create “an inappropriate outward sprawl” of the village beyond the established settlement boundary, while “offering limited social or economic benefit”.
Parish councillor Tony Collins described the land as “valuable greenbelt we should all treasure”, adding: “There’s a lack of supporting facilities, including waste water removal.”
Resident David Morris warned: “This application doesn’t have to be passed to help the five-year land supply, as an expedient approval will bring long-lasting and irreversible changes to Toddington.”
In a statement, Independent Toddington councillor Mary Walsh suggested: “A precedent will be set if planning permission is granted.
“This site doesn’t contribute to sustainable development and undermines the faith of residents in local plans, as they see no point in engaging with them.
“It’s an application for a site washed over by greenbelt in Grade 3(a) best and most versatile agricultural land, which is far from the High Street.
“Residents from that area rely on vehicles to access shops, jobs and schools.”
Director of Woods Hardwick Planning Richard Murdock, speaking for the applicant, said: “At a time when the council lacks a five-year land supply, this scheme will help meet that shortfall.
“There’s a commitment to significant Section 106 package, which the applicant has agreed to in its entirety.
“This has been a carefully considered project, which will deliver much-needed homes and a range of other planning benefits.”
Conservative Clifton, Henlow and Langford councillor Richard Wenham said: “Anglian Water is clearly raising the risk of pollution, even if a planning condition is put in place.
“There’s no way of getting foul water away to the treatment works. It raises the risk of raw sewage floating around and we won’t have any defence.”
Mr Cundy replied: “In its response, Anglian Water says it can be overcome by planning conditions.”
Conservative Dunstable West councillor Nigel Young added: “A condition is needed saying when a pipeline to the sewage works is laid as part of the groundworks, then building can start.
“You cannot build houses if you can’t get rid of the toilet water. It’s a nonsensical stupidity.”
Councillors approved the development, subject to conditions to cover drainage and a speed limit extension.