For:Taylor Wimpey per Focus on Design, The Old Brewery, Lodway, Pill, Bristol, BS20 0DH

Ward: St. Martins & Hinton

The Principal Planning Officer said that the application had been referred to the Committee because the Central Area Planning Sub-Committee at its meeting on 22nd July 2009 was mindful to refuse planning permission contrary to the Council’s Planning Policies and Officer recommendation.  The Sub-Committee had been particularly concerned about the increased density of the development and the manner in which the total number of units had incrementally increased across the site as a whole over the last 4 years or so.  Members had commented on the quality of the scheme in terms of the design of the houses and problems that had occurred within Phase 2 where they felt there had been insufficient parking and the roads were very narrow.  Particular reference was made to policy H15 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and it was felt that the density of the proposed development was unacceptably high.  Since the decision to refuse the application, the applicants had considered the concerns of the Sub-Committee and the reasons for refusal.  As a result, the proposed development had been amended through the deletion of 3 dwellings reducing the total to 9.  

The application sought permission to re-plan part of Phase 3 of the previously approved residential development on the former SAS camp off Bullingham Lane.  Reserved matters approval was granted on 19th August 2008 for Phase 3 comprising 151 units, taking the total for the site up to 608.  Part of this approval had been implemented and completed.  The UDP allocation was 500 units in the first deposit draft; this followed the 2001 outline permission for the site as a whole which estimated numbers at 500.  However, the outline permission was not restricted in numbers. This was subsequently increased to 600 units in the adopted UDP following representations by the developer.  The application with the revisions would retain the total number of dwellings at 608. 

The Principal Planning Officer said that the Traffic Manager had confirmed that he had no objection to the amended plans. All outstanding issues had been resolved and he therefore changed his recommendation to one of approval.

In accordance with the criteria set out in the Council’s Constitution, Councillor AT Oliver having registered a prejudicial interest, spoke against the application and then withdrew from the meeting.  Councillor RC Chappell, one of the Local Ward Members had some reservations about the provision of car parking but overall was in favour of the proposals.  The Committee did not feel that there were sufficient grounds to refuse the application and therefore decided that it should be approved.

RESOLVED

That the application be approved subject to the following conditions and any further conditions considered to be necessary by Officers:

1.      A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission)) (two years).

         Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.      During the construction no machinery shall be operated, no process shall be carried out and no deliveries taken at or despatched from the site outside the following times 0800 to 1800 Mondays to Fridays and 0800 to 1300 on Saturdays nor at any time on Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays.

         Reason: In order to protect the amenity of occupiers of nearby properties and to comply with Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

3.   Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that order with or without modification) no new permeable or impermeable hardstanding shall be created between any highway or footpath and the frontages of the approved dwellings other than expressly authorised by this permission.

         Reason: In order to maintain the visual amenity of the area and to comply with Policy H13 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

4.      All integral and attached garages and access thereto must be reserved for the garaging or parking of private motor vehicles and the garage shall at no time be converted to habitable accommodation or used for any other purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such.

         Reason: To ensure adequate off street parking arrangements remain available at all times and to comply with Policy H18 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

5.      H11 (Parking - estate development (more than one house)).

         Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to ensure the free flow of traffic using the adjoining highway and to conform to the requirements of Policy T11 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

6.      B06 (Implementation of one permission only).

         Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and to comply with the requirements of Policies DR1 and H13 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

7.      I56 (Eco Homes –Very Good).

         Reason: To promote the sustainability of the development hereby approved in accordance with Policies S1 and H13 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan and PPS1 Supplement 'Planning and Climate Change'.

Informatives:

1.      N19 - Avoidance of doubt - Approved Plans.

2.      N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC.