Agenda and minutes

No declarations were made on this occasion.

Please note that any late material in respect of the applications detailed below will be published as a supplement on the Council’s website in the late afternoon of the day of the meeting.

Late material had been circulated in respect of agenda item 6.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd April 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd April 2019 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Application for determination:-

Provision of an access road on land at Netheridge Close.

The Planning Officer presented the report which detailed an application for the provision of an access road on land at Netheridge Close. She informed the Committee that the access road had been amended since the original submission, however there had be no objections from the Highway Authority. Indeed, the proposals were not expected to have any negative impact. Lastly, responding to a query from a Member, she clarified the positioning of the traffic lights in relation to the access road.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions in the report.

Application for determination:-

Outline application for residential development (up to 80 dwellings), associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping. Construction of vehicular and pedestrian accesses from Rudloe Drive. (All matters reserved) (Framework Plan 5 Area FP5) at Rudloe Drive, Kingsway.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report which detailed an outline application for residential development (up to 80 dwellings), associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping. Construction of vehicular and pedestrian access from Rudloe Drive. (All matters reserved) (Framework Plan 5 Area FP5) at Rudloe Drive, Kingsway.

The Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the late material which contained conditions of which any grant of planning permission would be subject to.

The Chair asked the Officers for clarification on the proposals for Public Open Space. Further, a Member questioned why the Committee was being asked to grant permission for Public Open Space at the outline stage, as he felt that such a consideration should only be presented to Committee under reserved matters.  

The Planning Officer responded that planning permission for Public Open Space must be decided at the outline stage, noting that on reserved matters it would not be possible to ask for a new s.106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Chair stated that although it would be a shame to lose employment land, houses were also needed. He referred Members to the proposal for 20% Affordable Housing as part of the development, noting that this would be particularly welcome.

A Member reiterated that he was not satisfied with the discussion of Public Open Space provisions at this stage, as it was possible it would not be sent back to the Committee for consideration again. He commented that the Committee should have been provided with more detailed guidance regarding the Public Open Space prior to the meeting. He was particularly concerned that there would not be a children ‘s play area on-site, but rather only a contribution to open space at another site, as set out in the application.

The Planning Officer explained that contributing to an off-site open space as opposed to an on-site one had been deemed more appropriate as it would cater to a wider section of the community. He added that the development site was relatively small to be able accommodate an open space area. Thus, £69.000 had been allocated for Public Open Space elsewhere, with a view to investing a smaller portion on a small onsite play area. However, he emphasised that, ultimately, it was for the Committee to decide whether the Public Open Space area would be on or off site. 

Reminding the Committee of their duty to act in the public interest, two Members felt that not enough information had been provided to be able to give effect to this duty. The Chair whilst agreeing with this, observed that by investing most of the allocated funds to a larger onsite play area, rather than off-site, there was the danger that this would come at the expense of losing dwellings, and specifically, affordable housing.

A Member stressed that an off-site area could be too far removed from the development, thus making it difficult to access, for example for younger children. With this in mind, he felt that the decision to grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Tuesday, 4^th June 2019 at 6.00pm.

Tuesday 4^th June 2019 at 6.00 pm.