St Florence village granted planning permission for five new homes
Urban Style Homes Ltd, acting through Philippa Cole Planning Consultant, submitted the application to build five detached houses on the site fronting Bumblers Field on the village’s High Street.
County planners have approved a new five‑home development in St Florence’s conservation area, ending a series of withdrawn proposals that sparked fierce local opposition.
Urban Style Homes Ltd, acting through Philippa Cole Planning Consultant, submitted the application to build five detached houses on the site fronting Bumblers Field on the village’s High Street.
The latest scheme follows a withdrawn 2025 plan for six dwellings that was criticised for potentially creating “an urbanised street‑scene” and for lacking “consideration given to the needs of local people”.
Earlier, a 2015 proposal for three houses had been approved but the permission lapsed in 2020, leaving the land vacant for several years.
Local objections to the withdrawn 2025 scheme focused on the design, which residents described as “repetitive and overpowering in scale”, and on concerns about parking, highway safety and the loss of mature trees.
The St Florence Community Council, which had objected to the earlier plan, now welcomes the revised design, saying it is “pleased with the improvements to the massing and the roof line”.
However, the council warned that the four‑bedroom homes “are not providing low‑cost homes for young families in the area”, highlighting a gap in affordable housing provision.
Four members of the public also voiced worries about overdevelopment, the village’s character, highway safety, loss of privacy and the potential for new dwellings to cast shadows on neighbouring properties.
In its officer’s report, the planning officer noted that the revised layout “increases the separation and improves the spatial relationship between the buildings thereby limiting opportunities for overlooking and reducing the visual dominance of the dwelling”.
The report added that “Objectors have alleged overdevelopment, the proposed density equates to approximately 18.5 dwellings per hectare, which is lower than the minimum density expectations normally sought by the policy.” The scheme therefore cannot reasonably be described as an intensive or cramped form of development from a density perspective.”
On transport matters, the officer concluded: “Given the absence of any objection from the Highway Authority and having regard to the parking provision, visibility splays and layout now proposed, it is considered that the development would not result in a severe or unacceptable highway safety impact.”
Urban Style Homes Ltd has pledged a financial contribution towards affordable housing, arguing the project “will make good use of a vacant site in the defined settlement boundary of St Florence”.
The council’s planning committee approved the application subject to conditions, including measures to protect mature trees and to mitigate any potential loss of privacy for neighbouring homes.
Local residents who had opposed earlier schemes expressed cautious optimism, hoping the new homes will blend with the village’s historic fabric while delivering the promised affordable unit.
The development is set to commence once the stipulated conditions are met, with construction expected to begin early next year.
St Florence’s approval marks a shift from previous rejections, reflecting a compromise that balances growth with the preservation of the village’s distinctive character.