Agenda item

Outline planning permission (all matters apart from access - reserved) was granted on 13th April 2017 for a mixed development of 360 houses and community facilities/open space on 22.76ha of land to the south of Lawford, under application ref. 15/00876/OUT. In 2020, there was a Section 73 approval under planning ref. 20/00458/OUT, to vary condition 9 of 15/00876/OUT relating to the delivery requirement of the spine road and access to Long Road before the 201st occupation.

 

The application also includes bringing forward the delivery of a mini roundabout at the junction of Wignall Street and Bromley Road to the 180th occupation, as opposed to the 200th occupation as presently required.

 

In accordance with Members’ request, the current submission has been brought to Planning Committee seeking consent with regard to the delaying the provision of access onto Long Road from the 261st occupation on site (73% of the total dwellings on site) to the 360 st occupation on site (99% of the total dwellings on site).

Earlier in the meeting, Councillor Baker had declared a personal interest in this planning application. He had declared that he was predetermined and therefore did not participate in the Committee’s deliberations and decision making on this application.

 

Earlier in the meeting Councillor Coley, present in the public gallery, had declared a personal interest in this planning application due to his being both a Director and the Chairman of the Lawford Housing Enterprise Trust.

 

Earlier in the meeting Councillor G V Guglielmi, present in the public gallery, had also declared a personal interest in this planning application due to his being the Director and Chairman of the Lawford Housing Enterprise Trust.

 

The Committee was reminded that outline planning permission (all matters apart from access - reserved) had been granted on 13th April 2017 for a mixed development of 360 houses and community facilities/open space on 22.76ha of land to the south of Lawford, under application ref. 15/00876/OUT. In 2020, there had been subsequently a Section 73 approval under planning reference 20/00458/OUT, to vary condition 9 of 15/00876/OUT relating to the delivery requirement of the spine road and access to Long Road before the 201st occupation. That application had also included bringing forward the delivery of a mini roundabout at the junction of Wignall Street and Bromley Road to the 180th occupation, as opposed to the 200th occupation as then required.

 

In accordance with Members’ previous request, the current submission had been brought to the Planning Committee seeking its consent with regard to  delaying the provision of access onto Long Road from the 261st occupation on site (73% of the total dwellings on site) to the 360th  occupation on site (99% of the total dwellings on site).

 

Members were aware that the site lay outside the defined settlement boundary of the saved Local Plan but within the settlement boundary of the emerging Local Plan. The principle of residential development had been established through the granting of outline planning permission, which had also established the position of the access.

 

In the opinion of Officers the detailed plans complied with the outline requirements and were considered acceptable with no significant material harm to visual or residential amenity, or highway safety.

 

Members were advised that a legal agreement, ‘Deed of Variation’ was required for this application in order to ensure the new outline approval linked into the original Section 106 Agreement.

 

The Committee had before it the published Officer report containing the key planning issues, relevant planning policies, planning history, any response from consultees, written representations received and a recommendation of approval.

 

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Planning Manager (TF) in respect of the application.

 

An update sheet had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting with details of an amendment proposed to Condition 5 as follows:

 

“5.        Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the Construction Management for Phase 1 and Phase 2 should be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of condition applications:

 

18/00304/DISCON and 18/01548/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON and 20/01597/DISCON (Phase 2)

 

Prior to the commencement of development in any other defined phase of the approved development, a construction management plan for that phase, to include but should not be limited to details of wheel cleaning facilities within the site and adjacent to the egress onto the highway, should be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The relevant phase of the development should be constructed in accordance with the agreed plan.

 

Reason - To protect highway efficiency of movement and safety.”

 

Will Vote, the agent acting on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

Councillor Coley, a local Ward Member, spoke in favour of the application.

 

Councillor G V Guglielmi, a local Ward Member, spoke in support of the application.

 

Matters raised by a Member of the Committee:-	Officer’s response thereto:-
A member of the Committee requested clarification that approving the roundabout would speed up the development process to 6 months.	The Planning Officer confirmed.
It was raised by a member of the Committee issues regarding the construction traffic.	The Planning Officer confirmed that whilst 359 properties could be occupied through the variation of this condition, at present only circa 260 dwellings could be constructed via Bromley Road/Dead Lane, and the phases beyond this point will need to seek this Council’s agreement via a Construction Management Plan. It may well be that the developer will need to seek construction access from Long Lane for these phases.
Concerns regarding the lack of access into and out of the development were raised by another member of the Committee.	The Planning Officer confirmed that ECC Highways looked at the scheme and considered access to the site from a single access road from Bromley Road to be acceptable until such time as the link is created to Long Road
A member of the Committee raised concerns regarding the prolonged use of heavy construction along Dead Lane. The Member suggested a condition whereby, the lane was not used for heavy construction but plumbers and electricians etc.	At present only circa 260 dwellings could be constructed via Bromley Road/Dead Lane, and the phases beyond this point will need to seek this Council’s agreement via a Construction Management Plan. It may well be that the developer will need to seek construction access from Long Lane for these phases.

 

Following discussion by the Committee, it was moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Councillor Bray and RESOLVED that the Assistant Director (Planning) (or equivalent authorised officer) be authorised to grant planning permission for the development, subject to:

 

a) within 6 (six) months of the date of the Committee’s resolution to approve, the completion of a deed of variation to the original legal agreement under the provisions of section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

 

b)  the conditions stated in section 8.1 of the Officer report and as reproduced below.

 

c)  the  Assistant Director (Planning) being authorised to refuse planning permission in the event that such legal agreement has not been completed within the period of 6 (six) months, as the requirements necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms had not been secured through a Deed of Variation of the original Section 106 planning obligation.

 

Conditions and Reasons:

 

1. All applications for approved reserve matters shall be in accordance with the approved master plan and phasing plan / program agreed under application 18/00304/DISCON unless otherwise previously agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason - The application is in outline and is for a large development likely to be delivered in phases for which the detail will need to accord broadly with the parameters established at outline stage.

 

2. Approval of the details of the siting, design and external appearance of the dwellings, the means of access thereto and the landscaping of the site (hereinafter called “the

Reserved Matters”) shall be obtained for each agreed phase of the development before any development on such phase is commenced.

 

The development shall be carried out in accordance with any such approval unless agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. To date the development shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following applications:

 

Phase 1 Reserve Matters Approval 17/01527/DETAIL

Phase 2 Reserve Matters Approval 19/01475/DETAIL

Phase 3 Reserve Matters Approval 20/00480/DETAIL

 

Also, in association with the following alterations to these approved details within the following applications:

·         19/01498/NMA Non Material Amendment to approval of 15/00876/OUT for substitution of "Cornelia" house type for "Barbier" house type at plots 86-87, 90-93, 100-101. Proposed substitution of "Cornelia" house type for "Cornelia Variation" housetype at plots 54-57. Change of rear and side elevations, and internal layout to "Alexander" house type at plots 75-79.

·         19/01751/DETAIL Reserved matters application following outline permission 15/00876/OUT - Application to substitute "Cornelia" house type for "Barbier" house type at plots 86-87, 90-93, 100-101 as previously approved by 17/01527/DETAIL. Proposed substitution of "Cornelia" house type for "Cornelia Variation" house type at plots 54-57. Change of rear and side elevations, and internal layout to "Alexander" house type at plots 75-79.

·         19/00211/FUL Re-location of approved electrical substation (retrospective) and parking spaces.

·         20/00178/NMA Non Material Amendment to approval of 15/00876/OUT for substitution of plots 39, 60 and 81 from "Braithewaite Variation" house type to "Braithewaite" house type. Hand plot 63.

·         21/00741/NMA Application for a Non-Material Amendment to Planning Permission ref: 15/00876/OUT dated 13/04/2017 for the proposed substitution of the hipped Albertine for the gabled Albertine house type

·         K287-002C Proposed Mini Roundabout Details Approval of the details of the siting, design and external appearance of the dwellings, the means of access thereto and the landscaping of the site (hereinafter called "the Reserved Matters") shall be obtained for each agreed phase of the development before any development on such phase is commenced. The development shall be carried out in accordance with any such approval.

 

Reason - The application is in outline and detailed matters require approval before development can commence.

 

3. The development shall be in general conformity with the principles set out on the submitted drawing entitled Land Use Audit, dated 21/01/16 unless otherwise previously agreed in writing with the LPA.

 

Reason – To establish reasonable limits to the layout of the development in the interests of good design, layout, appearance and residential amenity.

 

4. The maximum number of dwellings to be contained in the development shall be up to (but no more than) 360 dwellings.

 

Reason - For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

5. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the Construction

Management for Phase 1 and Phase 2 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of condition applications:

18/00304/DISCON and 18/01548/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2)

 

Prior to the commencement of development in any other defined phase of the approved development, a construction management plan for that phase, to include but shall not be limited to details of wheel cleaning facilities within the site and adjacent to the egress onto the highway, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The relevant phase of the development shall be constructed in accordance with the agreed plan.

 

Reason - To protect highway efficiency of movement and safety.

 

6. No more than 180 dwellings on the development shall be occupied until a miniroundabout at the junction of Wignall Street and Bromley Road as shown in principle on approved Ardent Consulting Engineers drawings K297-002C has been completed. No more than 200 dwellings on the development shall be occupied until the upgrade to the Public Right of Way which runs through the proposal site between Long Road and Dead Lane (details shall be agreed with the Local Planning Authority prior to commencement of the development) have been completed.

 

No more than 359 dwellings on the development shall be occupied until the priority junction with right turn lane (with two pedestrian refuge islands) in Long Road to provide access to the proposal site. Priority junction shall have minimum 10.5 metre kerbed radii with dropped kerbs/tactile paving crossing points, a minimum 6.75 metre access road carriageway with one 3 metre footway/cycleway, one 2 metre footway pedestrian/cycle refuge island and a minimum 109 x 2.4 x 120 metre clear to ground visibility splay; as shown in principle on Ardent Consulting Engineers drawing K297-003A.

 

Reason – To protect highway efficiency of movement and safety and to ensure the proposal site is accessible by more sustainable modes of transport such as public transport, cycling and walking.

 

7. Prior to occupation of any defined phase of the approved development, the Developer shall be responsible for the provision and implementation of a Residential Travel Information Pack for sustainable transport (in consultation with Essex County Council), to include six one day travel vouchers per household for use with the relevant local public transport operator.

 

Reason - In the interests of reducing the need to travel by car and promoting sustainable development and transport.

 

8. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the surface water drainage scheme for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of conditions application:

18/00304/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and

20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No other defined phase of the approved development shall take place until a surface water drainage scheme for that phase, based on sustainable drainage principles and an assessment of the hydrological and hydrogeological context of the development has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. All phases of the development shall subsequently be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

 

In particular the drainage scheme shall include:

• Drainage modelling calculations showing how the run-off for all events up to and including the 1 in 100 year plus climate change is controlled within the site.

• Where infiltration techniques are being proposed, and all run-off cannot be infiltrated, attenuation storage must be provided for any overflow volumes calculated.

• Where run-off is proposed to be discharged to a watercourse, discharge should be limited to the greenfield 1 in 1 year rate for all events.

• Where different SuDS features are being proposed, the drainage modelling should show how these are cascaded together and show clearly their combined effect in controlling both the water quantity and improving water quality within the development.

• Account for a 10% urban creep in the calculation of run-off from the development.

• Provide the appropriate number of treatment stages from the different areas of the development.

• Provide the details of the adoption and maintenance of the scheme for the lifetime of the development.

• Provide the Drainage Scheme Layout showing the SuDS features and their dimensions as appropriate.

 

Reason - To prevent flooding on the proposed site and the local area by ensuring the satisfactory storage of/disposal of surface water in a range of rainfall events and ensure the system operates as designed for the lifetime of the development.

 

9. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the foul water

drainage scheme for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of condition applications:

18/00304/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No development shall commence on other phases until a foul water strategy has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. No dwellings shall be occupied on any defined phase until the works have been carried out in accordance with the foul water strategy so approved unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason - To prevent environmental and amenity problems arising from flooding.

 

10. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the hard and soft landscaping scheme for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of conditions application:

18/00304/DISCON & 19/00900/DISCON (Phase 1), 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and

21/00859/DISCON and 20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No other defined phase of the development shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of hard and soft landscaping works for that phase, which shall include any proposed changes in ground levels and also accurately identify spread, girth and species of all existing trees, shrubs and hedgerows on the site and indicate any to be retained, together with measures for their protection which shall comply with the recommendations set out in the British Standards Institute publication "BS 5837: 2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction."

 

Reason - In the interest of visual amenity and the character of the area.

 

11. All changes in ground levels in relation to the soft landscaping, hard landscaping, planting, seeding or turfing shown on the approved landscaping details shall be carried out during the first planting and seeding season (October - March inclusive) following the commencement of the development or in such other phased arrangement as may be agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any trees or shrubs which, within a period of 5 years of being planted die, are removed or seriously damaged or seriously diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority agrees in writing to a variation of the previously approved details.

 

Reason - To ensure that the development provides a satisfactory setting, in the interests of the character and appearance of the landscape and the visual amenity of the site.

 

12. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the ecological mitigation, management and enhancement for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of condition applications:

18/00304/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No other defined phase of the approved development shall commence until an Ecological Mitigation Scheme and Management/Enhancement Plan has been submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority. The document shall include:

i)              A survey to confirm (or otherwise) the presence of protected species on the application site.

 

If protected species are present, the survey shall be accompanied by a scheme of appropriate mitigation measures (including bat protection measures and precise details of the timing and method/s of protection). No development shall be undertaken except in full accordance with any such approved scheme of mitigation.

 

ii)             A management plan to demonstrate how biodiversity within the site will be encouraged by the development.

 

Reason - In order to safeguard protected wildlife species and their habitats and in the interests of biodiversity.

 

13. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the tree protection measures for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of conditions applications:

18/00304/DISCON (Phase 1) and 20/01337/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No other defined phase of the development shall commence until details of tree protection measures, including during the construction phase, for that phase, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and such measures as approved shall be implemented fully in accordance with such requirements.

 

Reason – In order to ensure the protection of trees, in the interests of local and residential amenity.

 

14. A. The Written Scheme of Investigation for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details within the following discharge of condition applications:

18/00750/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/00773/DISCON and 21/00026/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No development or preliminary ground-works within any other defined phase of the development can commence until a programme of archaeological trial trenching for that phase has been secured and undertaken in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation, which has been submitted by the applicant, and approved by the Local Planning Authority. Following the completion of this initial phase of archaeological work, a summary report will be prepared and a mitigation strategy detailing the approach to further archaeological excavation and/or preservation in situ through redesign of the development, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority.

 

B. The archaeological fieldwork for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 has been approved by the Local Planning Authority within application 18/00750/DISCON, 19/01698/DISCON and 20/00773/DISCON. These works have been fully implemented. No development or preliminary groundwork can commence on those other phases of the development site containing archaeological deposits, until the satisfactory completion of archaeological fieldwork, as detailed in the mitigation strategy, which has been signed off by the Local Planning Authority.

 

C. The post-excavation assessment for Phase 1 has been approved by the Local Planning Authority within application 19/00274/DISCON. Following completion of the archaeological fieldwork on other phases, the applicant will submit to the Local Planning Authority a post-excavation assessment (within six months of the completion date, unless otherwise agreed in advance with the Local Planning Authority), which will result in the completion of post-excavation analysis, preparation of a full site archive and report ready for deposition at the local museum, and submission of a publication report.

 

Reason - The proposed development is located within an area with potential for below ground archaeological deposits. The development would result in harm to non-designated heritage assets with archaeological interest.

 

15. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the lighting, refuse storage/collection point and the manufacturer and types and colours of the external facing and roofing materials for the dwellings in Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved in the following discharge of condition applications:

18/00304/DISCON & 18/01094/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3).

 

Within any other defined phase of the scheme, no development shall commence until precise details of lighting, refuse storage/collection points and the manufacturer and types and colours of the external facing and roofing materials for the dwellings to be used in the construction of that phase have been submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority. Such lighting, refuse points and materials so approved shall be those used in the development.

 

Reason - To ensure a satisfactory development in relation to external appearance.

 

16. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the Construction

Management Plans of Phase 1 and 2 shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details within the following discharge of condition applications:

18/00304/DISCON (Phase 1), 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/01597/DISCON

 

Within any other defined phase of the development, none of the development shall take place before a method statement for the construction of the development within that phase has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The demolition and construction works for the relevant phase of the scheme shall be carried out in accordance with the approved method statement.

 

Details submitted in respect of the method statement, incorporated on a plan, shall provide for wheel cleaning facilities during the excavation, site preparation and construction stages of the development. The method statement shall also include details of the loading and unloading of plant and materials, details of the piling method, hours of construction, dust suppression strategy, means of recycling materials, noise and vibration mitigation techniques, lighting to be used during construction showing light spill to neighbouring properties (with methods to be employed to prevent nuisance if required), the provision of parking facilities for contractors during all stages of the development (excavation, site preparation and construction) and the provision of a means of storage and/or delivery for all plant, site huts, site facilities and materials.

 

Reason - To ensure that development is carried out in a controlled manner while minimising impacts on the surrounding residential properties and also in the interests of highway safety.

 

17. Within the hereby permitted development, no dwelling shall be occupied until a high

-speed broadband connection is installed utilising resistant tubing to that dwelling.

 

Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, all connections shall be in accordance with the details set out in the GTC letter dated 4 July 2017. If the applicant is unable to achieve this standard of connection, and can evidence through consultation that this would not be possible, practical or economically viable an alternative superfast (i.e. will provide speeds greater than 24mbps) wireless service will be considered acceptable.

 

Reason - To ensure the development is able to be equipped with high speed broadband to enable opportunities for web-based communication and homeworking.

 

18. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the development shall be built in accordance with the Local Recruitment Strategy documented within approved application 18/00750/DISCON.

 

Reason - To promote and encourage the recruitment of employees and other staff in the locality of the application site.

 

19. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the development shall be built in accordance with the Resource Efficiency Measures Specification Statement documented within approved application 18/00304/DISCON.

 

Reason - To enhance the sustainability of the development through better use of water, energy and materials.

 

20. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the land contamination and remediation strategy of Phases 1, 2 and 3 shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details within the following discharge of conditions applications:

18/00750/DISCON (Phase 1) and 19/01698/DISCON (Phase 2) and 20/00773/DISCON (Phase 3)

 

No other defined phase of development shall commence until an assessment of the risks posed by any contamination within that phase, carried out in accordance with British Standard BS 10175: Investigation of potentially contaminated sites - Code of Practice and the Environment Agency’s Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination (CLR 11) (or equivalent British Standard and Model Procedures if replaced), shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. If any contamination is found, a report specifying the measures to be taken, including the timescale, to remediate the site to render it suitable for the approved development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The site shall be remediated in accordance with the approved measures and timescale and a verification report shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. If, during the course of any phase of the development, any contamination is found which has not been previously identified, work shall be suspended and additional measures for its remediation shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The remediation of the site shall incorporate the approved additional measures and a verification report for all the remediation works shall be submitted to the local planning authority within 20 days of the report being completed and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

 

Reason - To ensure that any risks (to future users of the land and neighbouring land and to controlled waters, property and ecological systems) arising from any land contamination are minimised and to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to workers, neighbours and other offsite receptors.