A PROPOSED self-build housing development in Gillingham has been objected to by the town council over concerns it would be built on “irreplaceable” parkland.

Stroud-based company Livedin Custom Build submitted an application for permission in principle for a phased development of up to nine self-build houses on land west of Pound Lane.

Livedin delivers schemes such as this across the country to allow people to live in houses they have designed themselves and meet “unique needs”.

The company said it seeks out sites that they think have “excellent potential for self-build”.

Despite its insistence that the land west of Pound Lane is suitable for development, not everyone agrees.

Gillingham Town Council said the proposed development is not open land as suggested in the application but forms part of the parkland of Grade II listed Wyke Hall.

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“It is an irreplaceable resource that should be conserved in a manner appropriate to its significance, so that it can be enjoyed for its contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations,” the council said.

Livedin disputes the town council’s claim that the proposed site forms part of the parkland of Wyke Hall, stating it was “erroneously described” as this in the conservation area appraisal in 2013.

The proposed location for the homes is west of Pound Street

It insists the proposed site “was merely pasture land and not parkland” adding that a heritage appraisal carried out by the applicant found it to have a “very low significance”.

The council also raised concerns the proposed development would “significantly intrude into the idyllic rural settings” of the nearby Wyke Hall which would result in a loss of heritage value.

“This harm cannot be adequately mitigated or justified by public benefit,” the council said in its written objections to the plan.

It added: “Development of the site would be harmful to the local character and distinctiveness of the surrounding built environment and its rural landscape setting, by virtue of the erosion of the important and positive sense of openness provided by the historic open gap.

“The proposal would not recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, nor would it enhance the natural and local environment.”

The council said the proposed site is also “potentially affected by flooding from other sources, including surface water” and that any additional run-off would exacerbate the issue.

This is a particularly significant given the devastation caused by Storm Bert this week.

Livedin said its proposal seeks to meet a “proven local community demand for self-build homes” which they say is documented in Dorset Council’s self-build register – a register of individuals interested in commissioning the design and construction of their own homes

The company said 771 people have joined this register, but Dorset Council has only granted 621 plots meaning “it is only meeting 80% of the local community requirement for self-build development.”

“The glaring shortage of self-build plots in Dorset, even on the council’s own figures, highlights a pressing need for action,” the plans said.

“The council’s inability to meet statutory obligations under the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act has led to a significant shortfall of available plots.

“Indeed, there is no reliably provable supply and even what is claimed goes nowhere near meeting demand, with no prospect of the gap being narrowed in the foreseeable future.

“This failure not only contravenes legal requirements but also hampers individuals’ opportunities to create homes that suit their unique needs, thereby stifling housing diversity and innovation.”

To view and comment on the plans, search P/PIP/2024/06517 on Dorset Council’s website.