Site for proposed residential development.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Stentiford, a neighbouring resident, spoke in objection to the application, and Mr Soutar, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor Greenow, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

• The land in question was not designated as public open space but was surrounded by public open space.
• 40% of the housing in Withington was currently affordable housing.
• Local residents were generally in support of the application.
• The applicants had initially requested £70000 of playbuilder funding and were now in receipt of £37000, the proposed application would provide that much needed funding.
• The proposed play area and public open space would be an excellent, and much needed, community facility.
• The village had good facilities and good public transport links.

Members opened the debate by noting that the application was contrary to current planning policy. A motion to refuse the application was seconded.

Some Members noted that the current economic climate required communities to investigate alternative methods of funding. They felt that the application could be viewed as an enabling development and should be supported.

The Locum Lawyer advised the Committee that PPS 5 specifically permitted enabling developments in the case of listed buildings and heritage assets but that he was not aware of such enabling provisions for the matter under consideration. He also advised that in his opinion the application was contrary to Unitary Development Plans H10 and H7 and should therefore be refused.

In response to comments by the Committee the Assistant Director – Environment, Planning and Waste advised Members that the application had to be determined under the current planning policy framework as the localism bill would not be implemented until the end of 2011.

Members discussed the foul water and drainage issues on the site and felt that it was imperative that these issues were addressed as a matter of urgency prior to any planning permission being granted on the site.

The Locum Lawyer and the Assistant Director – Environment, Planning and Waste had a brief discussion in respect of section 4.8.10.2 of the Council’s Constitution regarding the Further Information Report process. The Locum Lawyer, representing the Monitoring Officer, felt that the application should be refused however the Assistant Director – Environment Planning and Waste noted the comments of the Committee and felt that a Further Information Report would not be required.

Councillor Greenow was given the opportunity to close the debate but chose to make no additional statement.

RESOLVED

1.         The Assistant Director Law and Governance be authorised to complete the planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in accordance with the Heads of Terms.

2.         Upon completion of the above-mentioned planning obligation Officers named in the Scheme of Delegation be authorised to issue planning permission subject to appropriate conditions to be agreed in consultation with the Chairman and Local Ward Member.

[Councillor WU Attfield and JE Pemberton wished for it to be noted that they abstained from voting in respect of this item]