Agenda item

Erect 34 No. dwellings (including show homes / sales area) and associated infrastructure including formal and informal public open space, following the grant of Outline Planning Permission No. 2/2018/0036/OUT. (Reserved Matters application to determine access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale).

The Case Officer provided members with an update on the Sustainability Statement. With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members with the inclusion of the strategic allocation plan. Photographs of the site location, layout, location plan, outline approved plans and current proposed street scenes were shown. Images of existing site photographs and views from the eastern and western sides of the Principal Street. The Case Officer also discussed the inclusion of a mix of house types, the proposed landscaping, public open space, and the proposed Locally Equipped Area of Play LEAP. The proposed phasing plans as well as both private and visitor parking was also discussed. In addition to this, the loop road, and highways layouts, including traffic calming measures, cycle routes and footways were included in the officer’s presentation. Details regarding large refuse and emergency vehicles access was also discussed.

In accordance with the Local Plan, the proposal was acceptable in terms of layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping. The development would not have led to significant harm to residential amenity. Therefore, there were no material considerations which would warrant refusal. The recommendation was to grant.

Public Participation

Mr G Jackson spoke as the agent. He thanked members for allowing him to speak at committee and highlighted the hard work and collaboration with officers. Mr Jackson informed members that they had been working hard to deliver the site due to its importance and sufficient time had been given. Mr Jackson also reiterated to members that the proposal complied with policies and neighbourhood plans and had a lot of benefits. The agent also highlighted the contribution towards the housing mix, affordable housing, open space, and tree planting. He felt as though the site would be a loveable residential environment which contributed to the creation of well-designed homes. He hoped members would support the officer’s recommendation.

Members questions and comments

·       Reassurance that conditions including traffic calming measures, footways, and cycle paths had been addressed and implemented.

·       Questions regarding street lighting strategy for each phase.

·       Confirmation on building materials, particularly the use of Render.

·       Landscaping and Tree Planting removal. Members questioned whether the amount planted was greater than the amount lost.

·       Referred to Section 106 which outlined the Landscaping Plan.

·       Clarification on the number of LEAP facilities across the site and pedestrian links to local facilities.

·       Confirmation of the sustainability statement, particularly Energy Efficiency Standards.

·       Questions regarding the delivery of affordable housing provision.

·       Members noted the work which had gone into the development from both officer’s and developers.

·       Noted the importance of the site to set the tone for future developments and were pleased with the proposal before them.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to approve the officer’s recommendation to grant as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Valerie Pothecry, and seconded by Cllr Belinda Rideout.

Decision: To grant the officer’s recommendation for approval.