Outline planning application for the erection of up to 64 dwellings (including 35% affordable), access and associated works. Matters of appearance, layout, landscape and scale are reserved for future consideration.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, with an additional condition.

(Outline planning application for the erection of up to 64 dwellings (including 35% affordable), access and associated works. Matters of appearance, layout, landscape and scale are reserved for future consideration.)

(Councillor KS Guthrie was fulfilling the role of local ward member and accordingly had no vote on this application.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application which included some updated information.

In particular, she reported that paragraph 6.29 of the report required correction and invited the Committee to support an additional condition that would ensure that any reserved matters submitted would reflect the housing mix set out in the Housing Manager’s comments at section 4.12 of the report with the S106 agreement ensuring a local connection for the affordable housing.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr B Garbett, of Moreton and Lugg Parish Council spoke on the scheme expressing reservations, as did Mrs H Philpotts of behalf of Pipe and Lyde Parish Council.  Mr R Aston, a local resident, spoke in objection.  Mr G Wakefield, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor KS Guthrie, spoke on the application.

She made the following principal comments:

·        She expressed particular concern about the effect of the increased traffic the development would generate mindful that traffic flows on the A49 were already high with vehicles queuing to access that road.  She disagreed with Highways England’s view set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report.  Regard should be had to the cumulative effect of development in the area; the application should not be considered in isolation.

·        There were issues over speed and poor visibility with the proposed access.  It would be better if the access were opposite St Andrews Close.

·        Welsh Water’s response did not reflect local concerns that the sewerage system was already at capacity. 

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·        The mix of housing proposed by the Housing Manager should be supported.

·        It would be desirable for the developer to work with the local community to achieve a design suited to the location.

·        There must be a point at which the Highways Agency and Welsh Water must concede that the cumulative development in the area would have a significant impact.  There was a concern that the responses of both agencies did not reflect the experience of the local community on the ground.

·        The proposed access would require an excavation of the frontage.  The difference in level from the height of the footpath to the road level was such that it was questioned how a satisfactory footpath could be achieved.

·        An access from the layby further to the west opposite St Andrews Close would be preferable.  The bus stop could also be relocated to that position.

·        Councillor Edwards expressed particular concern about what he considered to be a longstanding failure to provide satisfactorily for the maintenance of on-site public open space on developments.  He had no confidence in the provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91