Plans for 795 homes near motorway given green light

The homes will be built on farmland in Cam, Gloucestershire

Plans for almost 800 homes have been approved by a planning inspector.

Persimmon Homes had lodged an appeal against Stroud District Council (SDC) after the council went over deadline to consider its plans to build on more than 96 acres of farmland in Cam, between Jubilee playing field and the Shell Garage on the A4135.

However, planning committee members said officers did not contest the appeal of their non-determination or principle of housing on the site, with stipulations.

Cam Community Action Group said it had not been opposed to development on the site in principle but raised concerns regarding the layout.

Planning committee members previously said at a meeting in July that they were considering granting permission but could not do so due to the appeal being lodged, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Planning inspector, Andrew McGlone said there was a dispute regarding whether the £4.35m requested in financial contributions would go towards transport, education, libraries, police and health services would be sought via a section 106 agreement or bidding for community infrastructure levy from SDC.

Mr McGlone said in his decision notice: "Concerns and fears of Gloucestershire County Council, the NHS and GP about whether they would actually secure those monies and mitigate the proposed development's effects are genuine."

"However, it is for those parties to bid and make their case for the necessary monies from SDC's environment committee," he said.

Size of houses 'questionable'

Mr McGlone added there is a shortfall of 1,461 homes in the district over a five-year period, although the proposed dwellings would only contribute "by a proportionate amount" to that figure as a rate of 60 homes per annum.

Cam Community Action Group said its concerns included "the impact on our environment and particularly the already over-stretched roads, public transport, schools, healthcare and the lack of local employment which this development does absolutely nothing to address."

The group said it understood the need for more homes but were concerned the lack of a local plan by SDC meant their community was at risk.

"The size of a lot of the houses is also questionable," it added.

SDC declined to comment.