For:            Jennings Homes per K.C. Humpherson Ltd, The Corner House High Street, Wombourne, WV5 9DN. The Committee deferred consideration of the application at its previous meeting at the request of the applicants.

Ward: Valletts

The Southern Team Leader said that the consideration of the application had been deferred at the previous meeting at the request of the applicants to enable the results of ecology surveys to be obtained.  He advised that these have now been received and appear to be in order and that he would need to consult with the Council’s Ecologist Officer to confirm.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Bell spoke against the application.

Councillor PG Turpin the Local Ward Member had a number of concerns about the application, feeling that the density proposed was unacceptable and that the pond should be retained as an important landscape feature.  He said that a density of twenty dwellings including eight affordable units would be more in keeping with the surrounding residential area.

Councillor RI Matthews supported the suggestion to reduce the number of dwellings and to make a feature of the pond.  The Southern Team Leader said that the site of the pond would be used as open space because it was barren and not of ecologic interest to retain.  The proposed density was at the lower end of that stipulated by planning guidelines and that if the application was refused it would be difficult to sustain defence of an appeal on the grounds of density.

The Committee discussed all the aspects of the application and the points that had been put forward.  They had concerns about the safety issues if the pond was retained and did not consider the proposed density to be excessive.  It was therefore decided to approved the application.

RESOLVED That:

            i)   the County Secretary and Solicitor be authorised to complete a planning obligation under Section 106 of The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 with regard to financial contributions towards off-site provision for amenity facilities, highway works, facilities for local schools, affordable housing and any additional matters and terms as considered appropriate

            ii)   upon completion of the aforementioned planning obligation and the resolution of the issue of ecology, the officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be authorised to issue planning permission subject to the following conditions and any other conditions considered appropriate:

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

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

2.      A06 (Development in accordance with approved plans )

         Reason: To ensure adherence to the approved plans in the interests of a satisfactory form of development.

3.      B01 (Samples of external materials )

         Reason: To ensure that the materials harmonise with the surroundings.

4.      G01 (Details of boundary treatments )

         Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure dwellings have satisfactory privacy.

5.      G04 (Landscaping scheme (general) )

         Reason: In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

6.      G05 (Implementation of landscaping scheme (general) )

         Reason:  In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

7.      W01 (Foul/surface water drainage )

         Reason: To protect the integrity of the public sewerage system.

8.      W02 (No surface water to connect to public system )

         Reason: To prevent hydraulic overloading of the public sewerage system, to protect the health and safety of existing residents and ensure no detriment to the environment.

9.      W03 (No drainage run-off to public system )

         Reason: To prevent hydraulic overload of the public sewerage system and pollution of the environment.

10.    F47 (Measures to deal with soil contamination )

         Reason: To ensure potential soil contamination is satisfactorily dealt with before the development is occupied.

11.    F17 (Scheme of foul drainage disposal )

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

12.    F26 (Interception of surface water run off )

         Reason: To prevent pollution of the water environment.

13.   Soakaways shall only be used where they would not present a risk to groundwater.  If permitted their location must be approved in writing by the local planning authority.

         Reason:  To prevent pollution of controlled waters.

14.    Details of the means of infilling the pond, i.e. material, shall be the subject of the prior written approval of the local planning authority.

         Reason:  In the interests of the environment.

Informative(s):

1.      N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of Planning Permission