Proposed erection of 31 no. key worker dwellings, including access from Clubtail Drive with associated infrastructure and landscaping.

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

The principal planning officer provided a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Rawlings, the applicant's agent, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained that the application proposed that all traffic would be directed via Clubtail Drive. This would result in excessive traffic movements which would undermine local highway safety. Clubtail Drive was a residential street and was not suitable for the proposed levels of traffic. There was a risk to families using local pavements and highways and it was felt that the application had been rushed. The committee was urged to reject the application until safer proposals could be considered. It was felt that the application had been brought to the current meeting with undue haste and the parish council had been sidelined. Clarification had been provided to a local objector that the access to the park and ride had been approved under a previous application and there was no process to challenge this earlier decision. It was explained that there was a process that could be followed, allowing the Secretary of State to revoke permission in exceptional circumstances.

The committee debated the application. It was noted that a decision on the application had been deferred from an earlier meeting to allow for improvements to be made to the landscape scheme associated with the application. It was felt that the applicant had responded positively to the comments of the committee and had introduced additional planting and landscaping to soften the overall appearance of the development within its setting.

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

Councillor Stef Simmons proposed and councillor Bruce Baker seconded a motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer's recommendation.

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

RESOLVED:

That subject to the completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Country Act to secure the delivery of affordable housing for sole occupancy by military personnel (Appendix 2) and the imposition of the conditions detailed below (and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation), that Planning Permission be granted.