Cameron Homes development site at The Vineries, Southwell, ordered to stop work over planning non-compliance

A housing developer whose non-compliance left a council with “no choice but to take enforcement action” has been ordered to stop work.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has issued a Temporary Stop Notice (TSN), which came into effect immediately on Tuesday, December 17, for the 45-house development at land at The Vineries, Lower Kirklington Road, Southwell.

It means that all work must cease on-site, aside from making the site safe, for 56 days.

The council found that numerous planning conditions were non-compliant, despite repeated efforts to resolve these issues through dialogue with the developer, Cameron Homes.

Outline planning permission, granted in June 2021 for the development, was subject to 20 conditions requiring approval before development commenced — and the subsequent reserved matters application, approved in September this year, also included several conditions for compliance.

Both permissions necessitated significant work on the existing highway network, including the installation of a new mini roundabout and other alterations, collectively referred to as S278 works.

In late October 2024, it was brought to the district councils attention that activities had commenced on-site without the necessary pre-commencement planning conditions being approved. Although initially described as S278 works by the developer, Cameron Homes, it was later revealed that the onsite activities also included main development works.

Southwell Civic Society and Southwell Town Council had also raised concerns about an apparent lack of discharge of conditions prior to work commencing at the site, at a meeting in November.

Despite ongoing discussions and attempts to resolve these issues, the required planning conditions remain unfulfilled. Issues noted include the creation of an unauthorised temporary access from Kirklington Road, lack of wheel washing facilities, and inadequate tree protection measures.

Andy Freeman, chairman of the planning committee, said: “Issuing a Temporary Stop Notice is not a decision taken lightly. Across the country there is a real need to build more homes so it’s disappointing that Cameron Homes have left us no choice but to take enforcement action.

“As a planning authority, we have a duty to take action if planning conditions have been broken regardless of if it’s for a single property or a large development.

“We’re keen to work with Cameron Homes so we can quickly resolve this and would appreciate their co-operation in ensuring they stick to the planning conditions.”

Due to the continued progression of the development and unresolved issues, the council has determined that issuing a the notice is necessary. The 56-day period is intended to allow Cameron Homes to submit sufficient information to discharge the planning conditions and ensure full compliance with the granted permissions.