Agenda item

Residential development of site for 95 dwellings, new vehicular and pedestrian access onto Wareham Road and other associated works including landscaping and open space.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application for the residential development of a site comprising 95 dwellings. The application site was identified as being located to the south of Lytchett Matravers village and north of Glebe Road. The extent of the site was outlined on a map. Photographs were shown of the site frontage along Wareham Road, including existing trees and hedgerows. It was noted that there were existing bus stops along Wareham Road and access to the site would be from Wareham Road. Some wetlands were present within the site.

It was explained that the site had been allocated under Policy H06 of the Local Plan. The proposed development included a mix of dwellings and open space and house types ranged from one to five-bedroom dwellings, with their distribution across the site illustrated. Plans of house types and photographs of similar existing developments were presented, along with an indicative street scene and a rendered image of the site entrance.

The Lead Project Officer noted that the application had received 249 objections from members of the public. Concerns raised included highway safety, infrastructure impact, flood risk, and design. Two comments of support were received. No objections were raised by statutory consultees, although Lytchett Matravers Parish Council had submitted an objection.

Officers considered that the principle of development was acceptable as the site complied with Policy H06, which allocated the site for approximately 95 homes and contributed to housing land supply. Although the site was not allocated in the Neighbourhood Plan, it was deemed to meet the relevant planning policies.

The proposed development would provide 40% affordable housing. The tenure mix had been modified due to increased building costs and other factors. The revised mix included 10% social rent, 40% affordable rent, and 50% shared ownership and the final mix was to be agreed between the applicant and the Dorset Council Housing Officer.

Third-party concerns regarding traffic congestion and highway safety had been noted, but no objections were raised by the highways authority, subject to conditions. The road layout allowed for informal on-street parking and compared favourably with Dorset Council guidance. Highway and footpath widening improvements were also required by condition prior to the occupation of the development.

It was explained that the proposed layout and design broadly complied with the Neighbourhood Plan and that a landscape strategy plan had been submitted and amended following consultation with DC Urban Design Officers. Additional landscaping details were to be secured via condition. The Tree Officer had raised concerns regarding an Oak tree and recommended a condition to remove permitted development rights for the affected dwellings.

In order to mitigate against amenity impacts, side-facing dwellings were designed to avoid windows on side elevations or to incorporate obscure glazing. Separation distances were considered acceptable. Plot 32 had also been repositioned and rotated to reduce its impact.

The site was located within Flood Zone 1, however the Dorset Council Lead Flood Authority had raised no objections, subject to conditions and the flood strategy was deemed to comply with Policy E4 of the Purbeck Local Plan.

Ms Pickard and Ms Small spoke in objection to the application. Their concerns included the impact on neighbouring amenity, as a result of overlooking and additional traffic movements. They requested that the committee look into conditioning additional screening by way of a buffer, to mitigate against overlooking onto existing properties on Glebe Road.

Mr Hoskinson spoke as the agent for the application. He noted that the development would be in keeping with the surrounding area and stand the test of time, with a sensitive design. The development would also provide energy efficient homes to the area.

Cllr Starr spoke as a local Ward Member and requested that the committee look into local infrastructure to ensure that children could access the local school safely.

Officers provided the following responses to members questions:

·       The associated SANG served three separate sites and was outlined in the Local Plan under policy H6.

·       Allotments were not required for the site in the Local Plan.

·       There was existing hedging on the border with Glebe Road and some additional planting was included in the application.

·       Highway improvements were proposed as part of the application, including widening the footpath to 2m.

·       Any chimneys would be serve a decorative purpose only.

·       A condition was included to require more details about landscaping to be submitted.

It was proposed by Cllr Flower and seconded by Cllr Sowry-House, that the application be granted as per the officer’s report.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes and the completion of a legal agreement

Or, if no agreement is completed then refuse for failure to secure the necessary obligations as set out in the appendix to these minutes.