Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004 - Stroud District Council

Site Report:
The Site and the Proposal
Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004
This is an application for reserved matters approval relating to the construction of 5 houses and
28 apartments on land on the Newmarket Road on the outskirts of Nailsworth.
The application site consists of the former Hazelwood Factory set into the valley wall on the
northern side of the Newmarket Valley. The large 1960s factory building borders listed buildings
to either side with the local road to the front. The three-storey building is of a plain, simple
functional design set into the rising valley wall with a number of mature trees to the side and rear.
At the current time the factory has vehicular and loading access on the lower level with office and
factory accommodation on the three floors above. Secondary vehicular access is also available
to the side of the building via the local road which also serves a small terrace of dwellings and the
George Public House together with the former delivery / dispatch area for the factory. As a direct
consequence of its sheer functional industrial design and bulk the building dominants the
surrounding residential street scene.
The proposal seeks the demolition of the building and its replacement with a 'millesque' style
building with residential units across four levels with parking on the lower level with access from
Newmarket Road. The building would provide 28 two-bed apartments and be of an industrial mill
design and natural stone and slate construction with corresponding detailing. In addition to the
main building the proposal also includes the erection of 5 three-bed dwellings to the west of the
site adjacent to the existing dwellings.
Relevant Planning History
S.01/624 Outline Application for Residential Development Allowed
On Appeal
30/7/2002
This appeal decision followed a previous refusal by the Local Planning Authority for the following
reason:
The proposal will result in the loss of an employment site contrary to the provisions of Policy E2
of the Stroud District Local Plan Revised Deposit Version (as amended June 2001).
In allowing the appeal the Inspector stated that:
'In my opinion the closure of the factory has brought significant benefits in terms of reduced traffic
and that the traffic problems would be likely to return if the building were again to be used for
employment at anything approaching its full capacity.........On the main issue (loss of employment
land), I find there is limited evidence that the site is required to meet existing or future
employment needs and some evidence to show that its no longer suitable for employment use. I
therefore find that the proposal would not lead to the unacceptable loss of employment land on
this site. Moreover, I consider that the previous use created unacceptable noise and traffic
congestion and that if a similar use were to be resumed that these problems would probably
return. I therefore find that there are demonstrable benefits to the community that outweigh the
loss of the employment land in any event. I therefore conclude on the main issue that the
proposal would satisfy the criteria in Structure Plan Policy E5 and in emerging Local Plan Policy
E2.'
The Appeal Inspector therefore accepted that the principle of residential development was
acceptable and approved the outline application. Matters of siting, design , external appearance,
access and landscaping were reserved for future consideration. Other matters pertaining to
possible contamination, tree retention and drainage works were covered by condition.
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