The Tewkesbury Borough Council Planning Committee refused two applications for business park expansion and warehouse development near Down Hatherley Lane due to significant Green Belt harm and inadequate provision for community facilities. The committee also deferred a retrospective application for a vehicle garage in Shurdington to allow for further negotiation and legal advice.

Land on the East Side of Down Hatherley Lane, Down Hatherley (25/00169/OUT)

The committee refused planning permission for a hybrid application proposing a warehouse unit for Safran and an outline application for the expansion of Ashville Business Park. The officer recommendation to refuse was upheld. Concerns were raised about the significant harm to the Green Belt, the loss of sports and community facilities without secured replacement provision, and unresolved ecological and landscape impacts. Parish councils and user groups voiced strong objections regarding the loss of the Dowty Sports and Social Club and the impact on local infrastructure. Despite acknowledging the economic benefits, the committee agreed that these did not outweigh the identified harms.

Land Parcels 8500 and 8866 Wood Lane, Down Hatherley (26/00064/OUT)

This application, closely associated with the previous one, also sought refusal. The committee refused planning permission for full planning permission for sports pitches and outline permission for employment floorspace. Similar to the previous application, the primary reasons for refusal included significant harm to the Green Belt, conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy, adverse landscape impacts, and the absence of secured and viable sports infrastructure. Unresolved ecological and biodiversity concerns were also cited.

Land Adjacent to 4 Brookview Cottages, Pheasant Lane, Staverton (25/00360/FUL)

The committee granted permission for a part-retrospective change of use for two mobile homes and two touring caravans for Gypsy Traveller occupation. This decision was delegated to the Head of Development Management, subject to a Section 106 agreement for Cotswold Beechwood SAC mitigation and biodiversity net gain. Despite concerns about the intentional unauthorised development and the sustainability of the location, the committee ultimately decided that the benefits of providing pitches to meet an evidenced unmet need outweighed the harms.

Part Parcel 4218, Evesham Road, Greet (24/00668/OUT)

Permission was delegated to the Head of Development Management for an outline application for up to 20 residential dwellings, including 40% affordable housing. While acknowledging concerns about road safety, sustainability, and drainage, the committee ultimately decided that the proposal complied with national and local planning policies, particularly given the council's housing land supply shortfall. The delegated permission is subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement for various contributions.

Land East of the Elms, Church Lane, The Leigh (25/01005/FUL)

Permission was delegated to the Head of Development Management for full planning permission for two detached dwellings. This decision was made despite objections from the Parish Council regarding drainage, flood risk, design, access, ecology, and sustainability. The officer's recommendation for delegated permit was based on the site being adjacent to the built-up area of The Leigh, contributing to housing land supply, and having acceptable landscape and amenity impacts, with necessary measures to be secured by condition and a Section 106 agreement.

Shire Cars Limited, Main Road, Shurdington (25/00925/FUL)

The committee deferred a retrospective application for the demolition of an existing garage building and the erection of a new vehicle garage workshop and office/reception building. This decision was made after legal advice was sought regarding procedural aspects and the weight to be given to a previous planning permission. The agent requested a deferral to allow for further negotiation and legal advice, which the committee agreed to, aiming to bring the application back for determination within a month.

The meeting also included an update on current appeals and appeal decisions.