Belles Fleurs housing plans downsized after refusal

Monday 15 November 2021

Previously rejected plans to develop Belles Fleurs nurseries into houses have been resubmitted with smaller homes and more “rural” designs.

The application was previously refused on the grounds that it had failed to show the site would be redundant for farming use, and would cause serious harm to the landscape of the area.

The proposals followed bedding plant sales falling "dramatically" since 2012, "exacerbated by plants and sundries becoming available for public purchase from supermarkets, DIY stores and online stores, all imported from Dutch and UK growers and suppliers."

The original plans, submitted last year, would have seen would see the demolition of all existing structures on the current Grouville site apart from the Western house, in order to build two four-bedroom dwellings.

In response to these designs from Godel Architects, it was refused by the Planning department on the grounds that "the proposal fails to satisfactorily demonstrate the redundancy fo the site for agricultural/horticultural use or for alternative employment uses, fails to give rise to sufficient environmental gains and would cause serious harm to the landscape character of the area."

Pictured: The Belles Fleurs site.

They added that it had also "failed to give adequate consideration to wildlife issues and is therefore unable to comply with policies."

The new updated plans aim to rectify these issues, with the design statement listing how the new plans have seen:

• the North-Western section of the site given over to Class A agricultural use, with an approximate 2,363m2 given over to agriculture;
• a relocation of the houses on the site by approximately 7m, so they are coinciding with the existing shop and office building on the site;
• and a more "rural" aesthetic, including a "traditionally inspired vernacular cross section", and "a maximum ridge height of 7.93m above ground level."

The buildings now have a total footprint of 424m2 - a reduction of 78% from the original designs. One house will be 273m2 internally and the other will be 275m2 internally, not including their garages.

In addition, an amended report on how wildlife can be protected has been submitted, with "enhancements to create additional habitat."

On the sustainability front, the statement proposes incorporating solar panels on the roof planes, and charging points for electric cars in the garage.

Concluding, Godel Architects say they believe they have "more than demonstrated the redundancy (and unsuitability of the site for a continuing commercial garden centre usage, or any other alternative employment use."

They added that they "would state that the proposed re-development of the site will be an asset to the built and scenic environment, and that the proposed units will sit comfortably and contextually within their surroundings."

The application is before Planning for consideration.