Eckington,
Worcestershire

This site was initially allocated within the Emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan is allocated for 20 dwellings. The site was acquired in November 2015 with a view to combining this land with other land under the same ownership and to progress discussions with the Neighbourhood Development Plan Group to bring together an improved offer to the local community. An initial application was approved unanimously – just 8 weeks after submission, however there was appetite from all stakeholders to work on a bigger better proposition. This local consultation process culminated in 2 sites coming forwards that will deliver 39 homes catering for a wide variety of needs.

Project Overview

The proposals cater for a broad range of housing markets, which is a principle that the local community have endorsed through the Neighbourhood Plan process ; private housing aimed specifically at keeping the school at maximum capacity, affordable housing, down sizers housing (that will free up larger family homes in the village) and homes that specifically cater for the needs of the retired; including bungalows.

Consultation Process

This site’s planning history meant that there was a considerable amount of consultation information available to digest, analyse and to incorporate into our proposals. Therefore we were able to conduct a very thorough consultation process that involved meetings with the Parish Council, the NDP representatives and various public consultation event.

The consultation events were generally made with the evolution process of the Neighbourhood Plan and were very well attended. This process culminated in a specific public exhibition hosted alongside our proposed developer Spitfire Bespoke Homes. The current application is currently live and in-line with the Neighbourhood Plan Policy.

Proposal

Detailed Planning has been granted for 38 dwellings and the gifting of 7 acres of land to the community as part of the Lone Star’s promotion of the site through the Eckington Neighbourhood Plan. This application was supported with plans from Spitfire Bespoke Homes and will provide Eckington with the infrastructure and funding needed to maintain its thriving community and help boost recreation within the community, the local school, shops and local facilities.

Outcome

Lone Star are pleased to confirm the completion of the sale of land at Eckington to Spitfire Bespoke Homes.

The site comprises 38 dwellings ranging from a 2 bed affordable home to the 4 bed thatched cottage, whilst incorporating bungalows, dormer bungalows and traditional housing.

The proposal was worked through the Neighbourhood Plan process which received a rousing 86% endorsement from the local community when it went to Referendum.