To consider a report of the Interim Development Management Manager with regard to this application.
Minutes:
The Committee had before it a *report of the Interim Development Management Manager with regard to the above application.
The Area Planning Officer addressed the questions posed in public question time: referring to the questions received in writing prior to the meeting, she advised that she had provided a written response to members which would be attached to the minutes. She advised that:
With regard to questions relating to procedure, these were not directly related to the application.
With regard to the question highlighting the centre to edge policy, the officer’s report of 28 July 2021 detailed the centre to edge policy.
Referring to the question about Condition 14 and the phasing of the scheme; the application had been submitted but no decision had been made.
With regard to questions referring to the trees – she would like more details and then could provide an answer. Addressing the questions with regard to the local vernacular and the proposed red brick properties, this had been raised before. With regard to the location of the play area and its proximity to the linking road, the masterplan identified play areas to the south of Blundells Road. The play area to the north of Blundells Road had been at the request of members – she would provide a further written response.
Addressing questions with regard to policies: she referred to more mature planting, she would seek clarification from the questioner and provide an answer to the concerns raised. With regard to the heat source pumps, the applicant had followed the Fabric First approach through the proposed constructions and was meeting the standards as required. Referring to the lack of social housing and a request for more bungalows, this was the first phase of the larger development; this scheme included social housing and bungalows had been introduced into the scheme at the request of Members.
Referring to the EV charging points, the cabling and ducting would all be installed, all that would be missing was the final plug in box and this was referred in Condition 12.
The officer then outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation highlighting the site location plan, the table of events as set out in the officer report which included the committee dates, the officer/member and stakeholder meetings that had taken place, the key changes following engagement and the issues that had been raised during those meetings. She outlined the issues raised from the meeting of 6 December 2021 that would be addressed today: that of the inclusion of visitor parking and a review of landscape planting at the play area north of Blundells Road. She also explained the illustrative framework plan, an aerial view of the site, the parking layout and visitor spaces which had been achieved by extending the hard landscaping and the informal play space which had included a full review of the planting scheme.
The objector then addressed the Committee highlighting the following:
· The planning process and the failings of the developer to meet the requirements of the masterplan and design guide
· The fact that the developer had only conceded on some of the requests from members and local stakeholders
· The adverse impact of the development on existing properties north of Blundells Road
· The affordable housing close to the linking road and close to the industrial buildings and the care home
· The similarity of the development proposals to other developments by the developer, something which the masterplan and design guide had attempted to prevent.
The applicant then addressed the Committee highlighting the following:
· He recognised the importance of the development and that provision had been made over and above that outlined within policies
· The work that had taken place with the design team and officers
· The EV provision exceeded the policy requirements
· The number of properties had been reduced
· Green buffers had been introduced
· Building regulations would be complied with and the use of the Fabric First approach to construction
Members then posed questions which were addressed relating to:
· Clarification with regard to Condition 7 (H) within the report
· Building materials and whether alternatives to the red brick could be requested to include natural stone
· Further details required with regard to the tree canopies and root-ball work
· The position of the play area close to the linking road and air quality issues
· The centre to edge policy
· Road safety concerns with regard to the positioning of the play areas north and south of Blundells Road with regard to road crossings and the consultation process that had taken place
· Disappointment with regard to the location of the additional play space
· The visitor parking spaces and whether they would be used by residents
· The Condition 14 application and issues with regard to work that had commenced prior to approval
· The parking courts and whether provision had been considered for a disabled parking space
During the debate consideration was given to:
· The involvement of members and the public in large scale developments
· Further concerns with regard to road safety and engagement with the Highways Authority and local County Councillors
· Road safety assessments
· The impact of the development on existing properties north of Blundells Road
· Construction traffic and the impact of this on local residents
· Whether all the concerns raised by members had been addressed
It was therefore:
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Interim Development Management Manager with an amendment to Condition 7 (H) as set out in the report to correctly refer to Condition 14 of the outline planning permission with further conditions relating to: a wide disabled parking space, building materials to include natural stone and an arboricultural method statement that would be required prior to construction.
(Proposed by Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe and seconded by Cllr C J Eginton)
Notes:
i) Cllr R J Dolley requested that his abstention from voting be recorded;
ii) Cllrs G Barnell, S J Clist and L J Cruwys requested that their vote against the decision be recorded;
iii) The following late information was reported: a correction to the number of visitor parking spaces north and south of Blundells Road;
iv) *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Supporting documents: