Agenda item

Erect 75 No. dwellings, form new vehicular access from New Road, open space, landscaping, ecological mitigation, drainage works and other ancillary works. (Reserved Matters application to determine appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, following the grant of Outline Planning Permission No. 2/2017/1919/OUT).

The Case Officer provided members with the following updates:

• There was missing text under the description of the development.
• Landscape revision plans.
• Note within section 10 of the report, section 72 of the listed buildings and conservation act was added.

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. Photographs of the affordable housing layout, front elevations and location plan were shown. Members were informed that there had been objections raised from Dorset AONB and concerns from landscape officers were addressed. Access had been previously approved at the outline stage and the Case Officer highlighted the structured tree planting across perimeters, referencing additional street trees and hedging on boundaries. The presentation also provided information regarding flood mitigation and photographs of street scenes and the parking layout as well as outlining the proposed material schedule and landscaping details. The officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions set out in the officer’s report.

Mr Savage (Transport Development Manager) discussed the site access which had appropriate visibility splays. He also highlighted footway connections across the site which linked to traffic calming areas and access to the school. In addition to this, the Transport Development Manager also discussed the Highway Improvement Plan which had the intension of amending the pedestrian cycle route. Members were assured that all access had been approved. The layout was suitable for adoption and had carefully been considered to ensure safety for all road users. This was reflected with the vehicular speeds being kept below 20mph. The site consisted of a traditional layout with footways on both sides of the road. Mr Savage also set out the number of parking spaces per household as well as referring to on street parking which had been checked with refuse and emergency vehicles. On balance, Highways were content with the layout, and it was suitable for adoption.

Public Participation

Mr Wright made a representation and explained how he had worked closely with officers to deliver the proposal which would have provided over 70 high quality homes. He highlighted the inclusion of affordable, shared ownership and homes to rent which would’ve been spread across the site whilst being in keeping with the character of the area. There had been no objections from the council housing officer and the scheme was compliant with standards. Mr Wright confirmed that he had met with local residents as well as the Parish Council and respected their concerns which he had responded to. He highlighted drainage features, additional planting and the inclusion of solar panels and electric charging for all homes. The agent noted that the highways team supported the proposal and hoped members would support the officer’s recommendation.

Cllr Gale addressed the committee and expressed his concerns regarding the proposal. He did not feel as though the site should have come to committee this early and was disappointed that there had been no further ecological surveys conducted since 2012. Cllr Gale also referred to the site access and hoped members would review before supporting further work.

Members questions and comments

• Clarification regarding whether conditions 14 and 15 of the officer’s report had been met from outline.
• Members noted that there had been no conflict with the local plan.
• Questions regarding ecological considerations on site.
• Clarification regarding the number of affordable housings on the site.
• Clarification regarding pedestrian access points.
• Questions regarding the speed limit on site.
• Members highlighted that it had been a complex application and developers had worked hard with officers to produce a high-quality development which had received no objections.

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 planning permission as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Sherry Jespersen, and seconded by Cllr Belinda Rideout.

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