To consider a planning application which has been referred to the Committee by the Head of Planning Services because the Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee is minded to approve it, contrary to the Council's Planning Policies and officer recommendations.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mrs. Morris of Orcop Parish Council and Mr. Griffin the agent acting on behalf of the applicant both spoke in favour of the application.

The Development Control Manager said that the Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee was mindful to approve the application and that it had been referred to the Committee by the Head of Planning Services because approval would be contrary to the Council’s planning policies.  He advised that the likely outcome would be that the cost of the proposed housing would be beyond the reach of local people.  The Head of Strategic Housing Services said that the Council’s Housing Needs Survey had revealed there to be a demand for affordable housing at Orcop at a price of up to £90,000.  The Development Control Manager said that although the Sub-Committee intended that the planning permission should make proviso for the dwellings to be sold at a discount of 25% of market value, the price was still likely to be in the region of £130,000 and did not constitute affordable housing. 

The Committee discussed details of the application, the improvements that could be carried out on the site to provide housing and enable unsightly poultry houses to be removed.  The Committee felt that there were considerable advantages to be derived if the application was to be approved because of the favourable impact on the environment together with provision of housing.  A motion that the application should be refused was lost and the Committee decided that the application should be approved with the proviso that the housing would be permitted at a 30% discount of market value in perpetuity.

RESOLVED:

That:   (a)     The County Secretary and Solicitor be authorised to complete a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that the affordable/market housing will be available at a discount of 30% below the current open market value and that this discount will be available in perpetuity to purchasers to contribute to meeting local housing requirements, and any additional matters and terms as she considers appropriate.

            (b)     Upon completion of the aforementioned planning obligation, the officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be authorised to issue planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.      A02 (Time limit for submission of reserved matters (outline permission))

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

2.      A03 (Time limit for commencement (outline permission))

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

3.      A04 (Approval of reserved matters)

         Reason: To enable the local planning authority to exercise proper control over these aspects of the development.

4.      A05 (Plans and particulars of reserved matters)

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

5.      F17 (Scheme of foul drainage disposal)

Reason: In order to ensure that satisfactory drainage arrangements are provided.

6.      F20 (Scheme of surface water drainage)

         Reason: To prevent the increased risk of flooding by ensuring the provision of a satisfactory means of surface water disposal.

7.      F44 (Investigation of contaminated land)

         Reason: To ensure that potential contamination of the site is satisfactorily assessed.

8.      F45 (Contents of scheme to deal with contaminated land)

         Reason: To ensure that potential contamination is removed or contained to the satisfaction of the local planning authority.

9.      F46 (Implementation of measures to deal with contaminated land)

         Reason: To ensure contamination of the site is removed or contained.

10.    Before development commences on site all poultry units and ancillary buildings and structures shall be demolished and cleared from the site to the satisfaction of the local planning authority in accordance with conditions 7, 8 and 9 above.

         Reason:  In order to define the terms to which the application relates and in the interests of the residential amenity of future residents.

11.    H03 (Visibility splays)

         Reason:  In the interests of highway safety.

12.    H05 (Access gates)

         Reason:  In the interests of highway safety.

13.    H06 (Vehicular access construction)

         Reason:  In the interests of highway safety.

Informative(s)

1.      N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of planning permission