Public Consultation – Residential Development on Land South of the A694, Rowlands Gill
Hedley Planning Services (HPS), acting as agent, are preparing a planning application, on behalf of Forric Homes for 14 no. new residential dwellings, with associated access, parking and landscaping. Forric Homes would like to hear your views on the development of the site and specifics of the proposal to refine the design and inform the preparation of the planning application.
Forric Homes is an award-winning, family-run SME, building developments across the North East since 1991. Based locally to Rowlands Gill, Forric Homes have a deep connection to the local area combining quality craftsmanship, innovative design, and a personal hands-on approach to create homes where families can thrive for generations.
The site measures approximately1.03ha. The site is considered to be within the “Grey Belt”, a new designation first introduced in the latest (December 2024) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Grey Belt is land previously within the Green Belt, but not strongly contributing to key purposes of the Green Belt. As the application is for 14no. units within the Grey Belt, the application will comply with the NPPF’s three ‘Golden Rules’, i.e., the following contributions are be made in line with policy (a-c):
a. affordable housing which reflects either: (i) development plan policies produced in accordance with paragraphs 67-68 of this Framework; or (ii) until such policies are in place, the policy set out in paragraph 157 [of the NPPF]…
b. necessary improvements to local or national infrastructure; and
c. the provision of new, or improvements to existing, green spaces that are accessible to the public. New residents should be able to access good quality green spaces within a short walk of their home, whether through onsite provision or through access to offsite space.
Proposed Development
The vision for the site is to provide high quality housing with a focus on high quality design. Key principles to deliver our vision include:
- A range of 3-, 4-, and 5- bedroom detached dwellings, each with private gardens.
- 100% of homes will be designed to nationally described space standard (all homes will meet national standards for living spaces in each room). Provision of a minimum of 15% affordable housing, to meet national and local policy standards.
- New access to the west of the site from the A694 (Cowen Terrace), which has been informed through highways assessments. Private parking provision for to be provided for each dwelling, and general visitor parking.
- Provision of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs) to manage surface water drainage from the site.
- Areas of landscaping and planting, and open green space. At least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain will also be delivered along with a Landscape Buffer to the east of the site.
Consultation
Your views are important and will continue to be valuable as the planning application progresses.
We have a survey (as linked below) to provide your response to the public consultation. The feedback will be collated and shared with the team who will then address matters accordingly.
Click HERE to view the survey
Alternatively, please provide feedback by –
Email: Rachel@hedleyplanning.co.uk
Post: Hedley Planning Services Unit 3, Hexham Enterprise Hub, Burn Lane, Hexham, NE46 3HY
