Proposed mixed use development comprising 15 dwellings including 5 affordable, 2 live work units and associated roads and footpaths, junction improvements, sustainable drainage, informal public open space, hedgerow and tree planting.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed mixed use development comprising 15 dwellings including 5 affordable, 2 live work units and associated roads and footpaths, junction improvements, sustainable drainage, informal public open space, hedgerow and tree planting)

(Councillor J Hardwick was fulfilling the local ward member role and accordingly had no vote on this application)

The Acting Development Manager (ADM) gave a presentation on the officer report, as attached to these minutes, relating to the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr R Pryce, applicant’s agent and Mr R Price, local resident, spoke in support to the application.

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

Councillor Hardwick made the following principal points:

·         The application had undergone significant revisions and the current proposal represented the best solution for the site;

·         There was an intention to include the site for development in the neighbourhood plan which was at an early stage of drafting;

·         The site did not merge the areas of Tarrington and Little Tarrington;

·         A TRO process for a 30 mph limit on the A438 close to the site had been commenced and an improvement to the junction onto the road would benefit the local area; and

·         The proposed footway on the site would improve pedestrian safety for people walking between Tarrington and Little Tarrington.

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

·         The development was felt to be sympathetic to the surrounding area. The layout of the site was commended and it was stated that the plan could be an exemplar for other developers. The inclusion of bungalows on the site was particularly welcomed.

·         The applicant had taken account of the concerns and issues of local residents in the production of the application. This was evident through the low density nature of the site and the proposed improvements to the nearby road junction;

·         A query was raised regarding the size of gullies and the capacity of the drainage system to cope with run-off from the site. Responsibility for the maintenance of the drainage system was raised and why this was not stated in the conditions. The ADM confirmed that, in an addition to the legal agreement, a management company would be established to maintain the drainage system;

·         A query was raised regarding the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) relating to the 30 mph speed limit and why this was not included in the conditions. The ADM confirmed that a contribution of £15,000 was included in the heads of terms and would be secured via a legal agreement;

·         It was important that the site made provision for wildlife and the work undertaken to ensure the site was wildlife-friendly following consultations was welcomed. The ADM confirmed that condition 12 made provision for habitat enhancement including provision for swift and bat nesting;

·         A concern was raised regarding consistency with planning policy and the potential to set a precedent for bad development in similar areas. A query was raised regarding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85