Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Planning & Community) - A.2 - 25/01498/FUL - Land to The North of Avocet Place, Thorrington, CO7 8FH

Erection of 60 single storey dwellings for those ages 55 and over as well as those with or supporting someone with a disability, with associated site infrastructure and public open space.

Minutes:

Earlier on in the meeting, as detailed under Minute 68 above, Councillor Wiggins had declared that she was one of the local Ward Members but that she was not pre-determined and therefore she took part in the deliberations and decision-making on this application.

 

Also, Councillor Scott had declared, under Minute 68, that he was also one of the local Ward Members and that would be speaking on the item in that capacity.

 

Members were informed that this application proposed 60 age restricted bungalows with open space and infrastructure on land north of Avocet Place, which would deliver specialist accommodation including 18 affordable units. Although located outside of the settlement development boundary, the Council’s lack of a five-year housing land supply had engaged the ‘tilted balance’ in favour of sustainable development.

 

In the opinion of Officers, all technical matters, highways, drainage, ecology, landscaping and amenity had been demonstrated as acceptable or could be mitigated through conditions and/or a Section 106 agreement. The proposal was therefore recommended by Officers for approval, subject to conditions and the completion of the required legal 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 Team Lead (ML) in respect of the application.

 

There were no updates circulated to Members on this application.

 

Martin Scott, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

Councillor Scott, one of the Ward Members, spoke in relation to the application.

 

Matters raised by Members of the Committee:-

Officer’s response thereto:-

Is the land Class 3, is that correct?

Yes, in terms of classification.

Is there a reason why the affordable housing homes are so close together?

There are a few principles that have been about over the years. The debate here is that ideally it would be better to have affordable housing scattered across a development. It comes down to what is a good design and layout. The affordable housing in this case is towards the centre of the development. The other balance here is Officers have to get to the situation where they have a Housing Association take them on board. Housing Associations like to have such houses together because they like to take on board the land. Housing Associations do not usually like to wait for houses to be built across a development. 

Is there a footpath that can go from Station Road into this estate?

There is a public right of way at the northern end of the site. This development will lead through to the public right of way and provide a pedestrian access onto that public right of way and then onto Station Road.

Will the age rule still apply to the affordable housing?

Yes, that will be part of the Section 106 agreement.

 

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Alexander and unanimously:-

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

1)    on appropriate terms as detailed within the Officer report (A.2) and those as may be deemed necessary to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning and Building Control to secure the completion of a legal agreement under the provisions of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (the S106 Agreement) dealing with the matters as summarised at paragraph 9.2 of the Officer report (A.2);

 

2)    the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the agreed Section 106 Agreement and the conditions as stated at paragraph 9.3 of the Officer report (A.2), or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects, including appropriate updates, so long as the principle of the conditions as referenced is retained;

 

3)    the sending of informative notes to the applicant as may be deemed necessary; and

 

in the event of the planning obligations or requirements referred to in resolution (1) above not being secured within 12 months of the date of this meeting the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to refuse the application on appropriate grounds at their discretion.

Supporting documents: