To consider a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration regarding this application.
Minutes:
The Committee had before it a * report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration regarding the above application.
She outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation highlighting the original Kingfisher Reach development and the proposed access points to the development before Members. She identified the proposed layout, the footpath links and vehicular access, the attenuation ponds, the network of paths and bridges, the community building, the areas for children’s play, the affordable housing plots throughout the site, the proposed street scene, proposed elevations of the apartment block, the range of material and photographs from various aspects of the site. She explained the control of surface water and the maintenance of the open spaces and the change in Government policy with regard to affordable housing and the impact of this on the viability of affordable housing on the site.
Consideration was given to:
· The concerns of the Town Council with regard to parking issues, traffic generation, play areas and adequacy of access.
· Following a previous presentation to Members, the applicant had responded to the Committee’s concerns regarding the apartment blocks, bin storage and bus stops.
· Access points to the proposed development.
· Drainage concerns and the maintenance of the attenuation ponds.
· Traffic issues in the town and the increase of vehicular movement.
· A possible roundabout at the Kingfisher Reach/Tiverton Road junction.
· The reduction of affordable housing on the site.
· Visual impact of the 3 storey buildings.
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and an informative note as recommended by the Head of Planning and Regeneration.
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr P J Heal)
Notes:
(i) Cllrs P J Heal and R L Stanley declared personal interest as Chairman of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development and Cabinet Member for Housing respectively;
(ii) Cllr R J Dolley declared a personal interest as a member of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development;
(iii) Cllr D J Knowles made a declaration in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing in planning matters as he had received correspondence regarding the application;
(iv) Mr Mantell (Agent) spoke;
(v) Mrs Morris (Cullompton Town Clerk) spoke;
(vi) Cllr Mrs A R Berry spoke as Ward Member;
(vii) Cllrs K I Busch, R J Dolley and J L Smith requested that their votes against the decision be recorded;
(viii) The following late information was reported:
16th October 2015
Revised tracking plans have been provided following the comments of the Highway Authority. The Highway Authority has confirmed that it is content that the issues raised in their earlier comments have now been addressed.
Revised landscaping plans have been received which address the issues raised by the Police Architectural Liaison Officer.
Cullompton Town Council comments received 14th October repeating objections of their response 26th June 2015. Revised / new comments received 14th October are summarised as follows:
Submitted evidence of vehicle tracking shows sufficient space for emergency and refuse collection vehicles to transit the streets and turn. The diagrams do not make allowance for residential vehicles that will be parked on these streets which will make their access and egress from the development difficult if not impossible.
The development will bring in excess of 450 domestic cars. The majority will be exiting from a single point of the development and onto another inadequate street in Kingfisher Reach before proceeding to the inadequate Tiverton Road junction with High Street. At peak times this is unacceptable. Installation of a roundabout at the north of the development and onto Tiverton Road. At a bare minimum there must be a second access at the northern end of the development.
Space should be allocated for allotments and community composting area. There is currently a waiting list of allotments. The copse should be planted with fruit trees.
19th October Lead Local Flood Authority summarised as follows:
Maintenance of SUDS can be dealt with by appropriate conditions with details of the management company and maintenance regimes of appropriate features. Outline details appear appropriate but further detail will be required to secure the long term maintenance of the scheme.
Our landscape comments relate to the overall design of the attenuation areas and the health and safety issue around steep embankment slopes. It is unclear from the proposed drawing what sort of slopes the pond will have, it appears steep. The areas should be designed as per the Ciria SUDS manual and be sympathetic to the surrounding area and flood plain areas.
Flood mitigation measures will require flood defence consent due to the presence of a main river. Our comments were related to the overflow mechanisms of the attenuation as well, in which a sympathetic reinforced spillway being provided to safeguard the pond design as per the SUDS manual.
Overall we are happy with the performance of the surface water management strategy, but with lessons learnt from phase 1 of the development.
(ix) *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Supporting documents: