Agenda item

Use of land as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) with associated access, landscaping, infrastructure and alterations to road.

The Lead Project Officer, using a visual presentation with plans and aerial photographs, identified the site and outlined the proposal and relevant planning policies. It was noted that existing lay-bys adjacent to the site could accommodate at least 5 cars.

Officers considered that there was adequate parking for the SANG for its purpose in serving the proposed residential development at the Binnegar Hall site and although it was located further away from the housing development than the guidance recommended, it was only by 10m and so was considered an acceptable distance. There was access to the SANG from the development via a crossing point, which complied with guidelines and had been subject to an independent road safety audit.

Mr Bennett, the agent for the application, spoke in support of the scheme. He noted that it would provide important community benefits and mitigate against any impact on the heathland.

Cllr Sowry-House read out a statement on behalf of Cllr Wilson, he stated that he had concerns over the 50-mph speed limit on the road leading to the SANG and also over the usage of the road by Ministry of Defence vehicles and asked for assurances on the safety of these vehicles to use the roads.

Officers provided the following responses to questions from members:

·       The Heathlands Planning Framework was guidance rather than policy and was applied dependant on individual site circumstances.

·       The Heathland Mitigation Officer considered that there was no need for parking on site. Users of the SANG who parked in the lay-bys would need to be mindful when taking their dogs from their cars to the site.

·       The community hall car park would serve as additional parking for the SANG, but the 5 spaces in the lay-bys identified were considered to be sufficient, as it met the guidance.

·       There wasn’t a requirement for the SANG to include a particular variety of different landscapes.

·       Ongoing maintenance of the SANG was to be undertaken by a management company in perpetuity.

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, it was proposed by Cllr Sowry-House and seconded by Cllr Morgan, that the application be granted, subject to a condition to expand the eastern lay-by to accommodate a minimum of 6 cars, as it was felt that there needed to be sufficient parking provision if users of the SANG were expected to drive to the site.

The meeting adjourned 13:33 – 13:43.

Following an adjournment the proposal to grant approval was withdrawn, due to uncertainty over whether the additional condition requiring increased parking in the eastern lay-by could be accommodated.

It was proposed by Cllr Sowry-House and seconded by Cllr Goringe, that the application be deferred, to allow officers and the applicant to explore the possibility of adding additional parking inside the application site.

Decision: That the application be deferred to allow for changes to be made to the application, to accommodate parking within the site.