Proposed land for residential development and associated work together with public open space and local green space.

Application approved, contrary to the case officer’s recommendation.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following 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 Fitton, spoke on behalf of Kington Town Council, Ms Rush, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Turner, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. He explained that the application had been approved by committee in 2018 and the only significant change since that time had been the county meeting its 5 year land housing supply target. The town of Kington had an undersupply of housing for a working town and it was difficult to find appropriate sites for development in the town. The proposed development was not on the floodplain, was an accessible site and would provide affordable housing for working people in Kington. If the application was refused, the decision would be difficult to defend at appeal as the committee would overturn a previous decision when there had been little change to circumstances.

The committee debated the application. During consideration of the application the committee raised the following principal points:

- The approval of the application at committee in 2018.

- That careful consideration needed to be given to environmental constraints, in particular the impact of the development on the landscape character and the conservation area.

- The location of the application site above the floodplain.

- The need for additional housing in Kington.

- The need for additional affordable homes in Kington to meet the need of the local population.

- The area of the meadow that would be open to the public would be a benefit to the local community and the public.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate. He explained that the benefits of application outweighed the dis-benefits.

A motion that the application be approved due to: the need for additional housing in Kington; the need for additional affordable housing in Kington; and the benefit to the public of opening the space on the meadow for public access, was proposed by Councillor Bruce Baker and seconded by Councillor Richard Thomas. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED - That:

·         The application is approved due to: the need for additional housing in Kington; the need for additional affordable housing in Kington; and the benefit to the public of opening the space on the meadow for public access; and

·         Authority is delegated to officers to draft and impose conditions for the planning permission, in consultation with the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Planning and Regulatory committee.

There was an adjournment at 11:15 a.m.; the meeting reconvened at 11:30 a.m.

Councillor Terry James resumed the Chair and his seat on the committee..

Councillor Richard Thomas left the committee to act as the local ward member for the next application.