Whitminster Parish Council – Objection to Planning Application S.25/0970/REM
(Land behind Schoolfield Close)
If parishioners wish to make their own representations to Stroud District Council, please note that the following objections have already been submitted by Whitminster Parish Council.
Application Details
Application No: S.25/0970/REM
Location: Land off School Lane, Whitminster, Gloucestershire
Description: Approval of reserved matters following outline approval S.22/0423/OUT for the erection of 44 dwellings with associated drainage and attenuation, open space and landscaping. Matters of siting, design, external appearance, access and landscaping to be determined. Includes details for discharge of conditions 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16 from the outline permission.
Parish Council Objection Summary
At its meeting on 9th September 2025, Whitminster Parish Council resolved to object to the Reserved Matters application on the following grounds:
1. Construction Management and Working Hours
The submitted Construction Environmental Management Plan proposes Saturday working from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. The Council considers this unacceptable near existing homes and requests that weekend working be limited to 8:30 am–12 noon.
Deliveries and movement of heavy equipment should be limited to 9 am–3 pm, with restrictions on parking or waiting on School Lane between the site entrance and the A38 junction.
2. Highway Safety and Site Access
All required highway improvements should be completed before any on-site construction begins, including:
- Extension of the 30 mph speed limit beyond the site entrance.
- Relocation of the village gateway (installed by the Parish Council) at the developer’s cost.
- Adequate contractor parking and wheel-wash facilities in place prior to house construction.
The proposed site compound and parking appear inadequate for the development’s scale.
3. Parking Layout and Vehicle Sizes
Although parking provision may technically comply with policy, the spaces are too small for modern vehicles. This will likely result in pavement and verge parking, reducing safety and security.
The use of “tandem” spaces (one behind another) is impractical and will further encourage inappropriate parking.
4. Impact on Sports Field and Boundary Treatments
The Council supports Sport England’s objections concerning the housing layout and the boundary with the adjacent playing field used by the school and local sports clubs.
5. Design Quality and Local Character
The proposed house designs fail to reflect Whitminster’s local vernacular or the Whitminster Village Design Statement, which forms adopted supplementary planning guidance.
Designs lack character compared to nearby high-quality schemes such as Parklands Orchard. The Council has received no consultation from the applicant.
While some house types include solar panels, the Council notes:
- No provision for secure cycle storage.
- No clear provision for electric vehicle charging for residents or visitors.
6. Visitor Parking, Deliveries, and Waste Collection
There is insufficient visitor parking and no designated areas for routine delivery vehicles (supermarket or courier vans) to stop safely.
Similar concerns apply to refuse and recycling collections, and the storage arrangements are inadequate.
7. Boundary Treatments and Play Provision
Boundary details are unclear, particularly given the site’s density. The proposed Local Area for Play (LAP) is over 100 m from most homes, lacks detail on equipment or long-term provision, and appears to be an afterthought.
The adjacent playing field is not a substitute for a dedicated play area. The LAP should be relocated to a visible, central position with defined equipment and management plans.
8. Density and Design Quality
The overall density and layout do not reflect Whitminster’s rural character. The design quality is considered poor.
9. Conservation and Design Concerns
The Council shares the District Council Conservation Officer’s concerns regarding design impact and requests that a higher-quality scheme be negotiated. The current design fails to address the shortcomings identified in the earlier outline application (S.22/0423/OUT).
Council Position
For the reasons outlined above, Whitminster Parish Council objects to the Reserved Matters application S.25.0970/REM and recommends refusal of the current proposals.
The Council acknowledges that outline consent exists for development on this site but believes that approval of these reserved matters should only proceed if the design properly reflects local character and community needs.
The Parish Council has also noted that its original comments (submitted before the updated consultation) do not appear on the District Council’s website and requests that they be reinstated.
Finally, given the scale and potential impact of this development, the Council requests that the application be referred to the Development Control Committee for determination—unless the proposal is refused or substantially revised beforehand.
To view or comment on this application, visit:
Stroud District Council Planning Portal