Hundreds more houses will be built in a village despite previous concerns that it would be "too much" for the area. Outline permission for a new 200-home estate on Blidworth Lane, Rainworth was given by Mansfield District Council in July 2021, but now the details of the slightly reduced 199-home housing development have been granted permission.
People living in Rainworth recently told Nottinghamshire Live these homes and the 95 more planned at Rufford Colliery Lane would be "too much" for the village, which they argued had limited shops and services. But Mansfield District Council’s planning committee approved Barratt Homes’ plans, at Three Thorn Hollows Farm, off Blidworth Lane, at its meeting on Monday, June 6.
A decision on the company’s proposals was deferred by the committee following concerns from neighbouring homes. The developer had initially proposed 200 properties on the greenfield site, but councillors heard in the previous May 9 planning committee meeting two plots of land on the development could cause privacy and ‘overshadowing’ issues.
Read more: Hundreds of new homes 'rich in character' to be built in Mansfield
The amended plans showed the number of homes has been reduced to 199, with the two affected plots changed from two semi-detached houses to one bungalow. The developer says this has eased the concerns of overshadowing and privacy raised by the Farnsworth Avenue residents, who the company worked with when drawing up the changed plans.
As well as nearly 200 properties, developers Barratt Homes have said their design "incorporates public open space and structural landscaping and will form the basis for a high quality residential development". According to planning documents there would also be a centrally located children’s play space and an ecological buffer to preserve wildlife.
In a planning document, Barrett Homes said: "The proposed development will create housing choice and new amenity spaces for the existing and new community whilst improving public access across the site and to the wider pedestrian network.
"The planning layout is founded on the best practice in urban design, community integration and sustainable development, with strong links to the wider area. It aims to create a development for the 21st Century, whilst reflecting the desirable elements of the local vernacular. In this context, the development will respect the local character but also move the community towards a more sustainable future, through a significant increase in housing choice.
"Development will accord with the principles of high quality design and best practice to create a townscape that is varied and sympathetic to its environment. The aim must be to achieve a development with a strong identity and distinct sense of place whilst at the same time integrating with the existing community."
Three Thorn Hollow Farm, a local heritage asset, which includes a farm house and residential barn conversions, would be bordered by new houses on its north, east and southern boundaries. Foulevil Brook, including Rainworth Lakes which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is also nearby to the planned houses.
A council document, prepared ahead of the Mansfield District Council planning committee, said: "In conclusion therefore the site is considered to represent a deliverable residential development scheme within a suitable and sustainable location for residential development.
The extant outline planning application and this Reserved Matters application are supported by detailed technical assessments which confirm that there are no technical or environmental constraints to the site’s development. This Reserved Matters planning application for 199 homes to the rear of Three Thorn Hollow Farm site aligns with all of the development parameters established by the original outline planning approval.
"The development proposals can deliver significant benefits to the District, alongside making a significant contribution to Mansfield District Council’s housing requirements over the next 11 years. Particularly in respect of maintaining a 5-year rolling supply of deliverable residential development sites."
