Outline planning permission for proposed erection of up to 50 dwellings (including 35% affordable), planting and landscaping, informal open space, vehicular access point from pepper plock ley and associated ancillary works. All matters to be reserved with the exception of the main vehicular site access.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation with amended conditions as set out in the Committee update.

(181050 - Outline planning permission for proposed erection of up to 50 dwellings (including 35% affordable), planting and landscaping, informal open space, vehicular access point from Pepper Plock Ley and associated ancillary works. All matters to be reserved with the exception of the main vehicular site access.)

The Development Manager gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr B Bloxsome, of Weobley Parish Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr R Best, a local resident, spoke in objection. 

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

He made the following principal comments:

·        He highlighted the concerns about existing traffic congestion which was particularly acute during school traffic in the morning and the afternoon, noting that a neighbouring development was also not yet completed and fully occupied.

·        Four consultees: Historic England, Conservation Manager (Historic Buildings) the Parish Council and the Woodland Trust objected to the proposal.

·        The land was historically sensitive and an important asset for the village.

·        A number of late amendments had been made to the scheme.  Even though an outline application the scheme was not sufficiently developed.  The application should be refused, or consideration of it deferred, as the Parish Council had requested,  to allow the Parish Council to consider the latest changes and respond, as it had  and for account to be taken of objections from key consultees.

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

·        The Development Manager clarified with reference to paragraph 4.14 b of the report that the Neighbourhood Development Plan was at Regulation 14 stage and Herefordshire Council had not had sight of the representations received by the Parish Council nor yet received the documentation at the Regulation 15 stage.

·        The site was outside the current and proposed settlement boundary in the NDP.  In response to a view that consideration of the application should be deferred pending progress on the NDP. Officers advised that this would not be appropriate.  There could be no certainty as to when the NDP documents would be submitted at Regulation 15 stage to progress the NDP.  Currently the plan carried limited weight and the application should be determined on that basis.  To defer the application would risk an appeal on the grounds of non-determination and the award of costs against the authority and would be ultra vires.

·        The application was a natural extension of the village. 

·        There was good access to the village by a footpath and to the school.  Improvements to the footpaths would be important to assist with sustainability.

·        Improvements were planned to facilitate school buses turning.  The generation of school traffic was not an uncommon feature.

·        It was suggested that at the reserved matters stage it would be helpful if consideration could be given to additional parking provision, noting the application was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85