Outline application for residential development (with all matters reserved except for access), footway/cycleway and vehicle turning head, stopping up and re-routing of a short section of Grafton Lane, near the A49, public open space, landscaping and associated infrastructure works (AMENDED PLANS and ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS).

Application approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

(Councillor Paul Rone left the committee to act as local Ward member for the next application.)

The planning officer gave a presentation on the application and updates/representations receivedfollowing the publication of the agenda as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Ben Doouss and Mr George Hardy, local residents, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Rob Davies, planning agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained that the application had been amended with the reduction in the number of houses proposed which reduced the impact of the development on the Hereford city skyline. The application met a need for housing close to Hereford City. When the site had been initially proposed it was intended to be supported through the infrastructure of the southern Link Road. Since the cancellation of that scheme the impact of the application will see an increase in traffic at an already busy location. There had been no objections from statutory consultees but it was important the application was acceptable from a highways perspective. The walking route to the site proposed in the application along the A49 was overgrown. It was noted that buses would serve the development and there were good facilities for children proposed on site. The developer contributions arising from the site were welcomed however it was noted that the proposed allocation of the contributions were to projects outside of the ward where the application site was located. It was important that the homes were future proofed against rising energy costs. The impact of the development on existing properties, currently in open countryside, was raised.

The committee debated the application.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.

A motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer's recommendation was proposed by Councillor Mark Millmore and seconded by Councillor Polly Andrews.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – that subject to either the completion of a Section 106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 obligation agreement in accordance with the Heads of Terms stated in the report, or a condition requiring the completion of an agreement prior to the commencement of development, officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers are authorised to grant Outline planning permission, subject to the conditions below and any other further conditions (or amendments) considered necessary.

1.         Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun either before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission, or before the expiration of two years from the date of the approval  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39