Plans for 260 houses on old Green Belt land in Coventry could soon get the final go-ahead. The scheme would go on fields by Bennetts Road in Keresley.
Council officers say the so-called “reserved matters” application with details of the plans should be approved at a meeting on Thursday, 12 Setember. But neighbours oppose the bid, according to council papers.
Residents wrote eight letters of objection. They raised two issues that are seen to be “material” considerations – ones that can be taken into account in decisions.
These are the impact on drainage and of cars through the estate on neighbouring roads. Other concerns dubbed “non-material” include the need for housing, a lack of infrastructure, road safety, and how it will affect badgers.
But council officers said issues around the loss of Green Belt land, “flawed census figures,” and the need for homes had already been dealt with in the ‘outline’ plans agreed last year. These “cannot be reassessed” they added.
Flooding and highways authorities have not objected to the plans, according to the report. Officers concluded the scheme should get permission.
Councillors will have the final say when the council’s planning committee votes on the bid next Thursday. The report also revealed the scheme will mostly have three bedroom houses, with 117 planned, and 32 four-bedroom properties.
Out of all the homes built 65 will be so-called “affordable housing,” including 24 three-bed houses. Developers Countryside Partnerships, part of Vistry Group, have also agreed to pay millions towards local services under a Section 106 agreement with the outline plans.
This includes some £2.5 million for education, £750k for a cycle “superhighway” and £500k for sports facilities. Details of the plans can be viewed on the city council’s website on its planning portal via reference PL/2024/0000246/RESM.
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