Englefield Estate Trust applies to build houses at Bradfield Southend

The Englefield Estate Trust Corporation Ltd has submitted an outline planning application for a residential development to West Berkshire Council.

The estate is proposing to build two three-bedroom, semi-detached houses and one four-bedroom, detached house on land east of Southfield House, in Cock Lane, Bradfield Southend.

Only means of access to the site are being considered at this stage. Its scale, appearance and landscaping will be reserved for future consideration.

The estate is also seeking permission to add eight new car parking spaces and six cycle spaces at the site, currently a residential garden.

The council’s highways team granted the proposal conditional approval, dependent on the applicant including an electric vehicle charging point – with a minimum of 7kw – and a secure and undercover cycle storage for each property.

It further stated that no dwelling shall be occupied until a construction method statement has been submitted and the footway fronting the site has been resurfaced to a standard deemed acceptable by the local planning authority.

The drainage team requested site-specific infiltration testing and groundwater monitoring and that the applicant should provide an alternative means of surface water discharge, such as a connection to a watercourse or surface water sewer, if evidence has not been provided to demonstrate a soakaway will work.

Based on council feedback in 2022, the applicant reduced the number of proposed residences from four to three.

The council is expected to decide on this application by Thursday, May 9.