PLANS for a new residential development near RAF Fairford's base in Kempsford have been rejected for a second time.

Housing developer Pye Homes submitted an application to develop 35 houses, public open space, landscaping and parking on land off John of Gaunt Road in Kempsford to Cotswold District Council in May.

However, the application was refused on Monday, September 18.

Pye Homes originally submitted a planning application for 62 houses on the same site in 2017.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Pye Homes' original planning application for 62 houses on the same site in 2017Pye Homes' original planning application for 62 houses on the same site in 2017 (Image: Pye Homes / West Waddy ADP)

CDC refused this application in 2018 due to the fact that "Kempsford was considered to be a demonstrably unsustainable settlement that has insufficient facilities and services to support the development" and that the "proposed development not considered to be small-scale in the context of the size of the village".

Pye Homes did submit an appeal to this decision, but it was dismissed.

The land lies outside of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and currently comprises of 2.47 hectares of agricultural land.

It is characterised by open agricultural fields and to the east, south and west, the site is bounded by residential development.

RAF Fairford's base in Kempsford is located to the west of the site. 

The new proposal submitted by Pye Homes this year comprised of properties, ranging from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom houses.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Pye Homes' 2023 plans for a new residential development in Kempsford Pye Homes' 2023 plans for a new residential development in Kempsford (Image: Pye Homes / LandArb Solutions Ltd)

14 of the 35 dwellings proposed were classified as affordable homes.

The plan also included 0.56 hectares of public open space - including play areas and allotments - and landscape planting.

A new separate foot/cycle path was also proposed to improve access to Whelford Road.

The letter sent by CDC to the developer on Monday refused the application for three reasons.

One was that Kempsford was regarded as "demonstrably unsustainable settlement that has insufficient facilities and services to support large-scale residential development".

In the letter Phil Shaw, business manager of development and sustainability at CDC, wrote: "The scale of development proposed within this application is not considered small-scale in the context of the size of the village.

"The scale of housing proposed would be detrimental to the wider delivery of sustainable infrastructure requirements planned over the Local Plan period and would have a harmful impact on the deliverability of other Local Plan allocations.

"Furthermore, the application site lies in a location remote from amenities and facilities that would typically be used by future residents on a day-to-day basis."

The second reason was refusing the application was the "insufficient information" provided about the impact the proposed development would have on the North Meadow Special Area of Conservation, which is an internationally designated wildlife site.

In addition, no Habitat Regulations Assessment was completed.

The final reason listed in the letter for rejecting the application was that a legal agreement was not completed.

To view the application visit tinyurl.com/5n7hj5dr