Issue - meetings

Develop land by the erection of up to 80 No. dwellings, form vehicular access, associated open space and infrastructure.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application for the erection of up to 80 No. dwellings, form vehicular access, associated open space and infrastructure.

Committee members were shown the location of the site which is next to a care home and various photographs of the site. The officer’s presentation included details on the access to the site as well as details of the enhanced community infrastructure. Members were also informed of an increase in affordable housing. The Senior Planning Officer referred to policies 2, 20 and the neighbourhood plan. The recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and conditions.

The Transport Development Manager outlined the access to the site. The access would include visibility splays with sufficient intervisibility between the access and the care home. There would be a footway connection from the new access to the existing footway with direct links to the town centre. There would be low traffic movement which would not affect safety.

The Technical Support Officer read the representations which are attached as an annexure to these minutes. 

Members’ Questions and Comments

Members asked questions and made comments relating to the following:

·         The enforcement of compensationary habitats and wildlife corridors in the southern section, secured through the section 106 agreement.

·         Inclusion of informal or permissive footpaths allowing people to walk across the site.

·         Benefits to the community, which included 25% affordable housing

·         Mitigation for biodiversity on the site. Members asked for particular attention to be given to serotine bats.

·         Clarification on the northern field being transferred to the town council and if there would be a sum of money with it.

·         Including a requirement for a contribution, as part of the Section 106 agreement, towards the maintenance for the large area of open space transferred to the town council.

·         The 5-year Housing land supply. The Housing delivery test below the required amount.

Proposed by Cllr Carole Jones, seconded by Cllr Brian Heatley.

The Committee were ‘minded to’ grant the application, subject to conditions and negotiation additional heads of terms in the Section 106.

The Head of Planning having considered the representations and the officer’s presentation and having taken into account the views of the committee, made the following decision under delegated authority: that the application be granted, subject to conditions and the negotiation of additional Section 106 heads of terms.

Decision: That the application be granted, subject to the conditions and the negotiation of additional Section 106 heads of terms.