Helmsley Group has successfully overturned two planning application refusals for a much-needed family housing development near the village of Welburn in North Yorkshire.
The Planning Inspectorate approved a long-running application for nine family homes at Welburn Business Park. It also approved an alternative application from Helmsley for seven homes at the site.
Helmsley Group previously secured a permission for ten one-bedroom apartments under permitted development, which was also granted following an appeal. This permitted development application was then used to leverage a larger planning gain and secure much larger consent.
The proposed scheme, incorporates nine large four-bedroom family houses in a desirable location, ranging from 1,500 sq ft to 2,600 sq ft.
Both proposals aim to replace vacant office and commercial buildings at Welburn Business Park with contemporary family homes.
The original applications were refused by North Yorkshire Council on grounds including that Welburn Business Park is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, development in the area goes against planning policy guidelines, and there was potential noise impacts.
However, the Planning Inspectorate dismissed these concerns and also said North Yorkshire Council should have given greater weight to the fact Helmsley already had a planning permission at the site.
Helmsley Group development surveyor Tom Riddolls said: “We have always believed that family-oriented homes at Welburn Business Park would revitalise this brownfield site, enhancing both the environment and local community.
“Both successful applications directly respond to the housing needs of North Yorkshire families, providing spacious, permanent homes.
“We are delighted that The Planning Inspectorate has granted both these permissions and agrees with our view that developing on this site will further promote sustainable and sensible development in countryside areas.
“There is a pressing need for permanent family-oriented housing in North Yorkshire, and our proposals have been meticulously designed to meet this need while contributing positively to the wider community. We look forward to taking our plans forward in due course.”