Agenda item

Outline planning application with all matters reserved other than strategic access point onto Plough Road, for the erection of up to seventy five dwellings with associated infrastructure and landscaping.

Councillor McWilliams had earlier declared an interest in relation to Planning Application 16/02127/OUT by virtue of the fact that she was the local Ward Member and by virtue of the fact that she was pre-determined. Councillor McWilliams had also declared an interest in Planning Application 16/02127/OUT by virtue of the fact that she rented land and a building, within the same ownership as the application site, for stabling her horse. Councillor McWilliams was not present for this item.

Councillor Everett had earlier declared a prejudicial interest in relation to Planning Application 16/02127/OUT by virtue of the fact that he was predisposed and pre-determined due to the fact that he had served a claim for judicial review against the Council in relation to the issue of the Council’s 5 year housing land supply in the context of the Local Plan which was relevant to the afore-mentioned application. Councillor Everett was not present for this item.

It was reported that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee at the request of Councillor McWilliams, the local Ward Member.

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 refusal.

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

An update sheet was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting with details of the consultation response received from Essex County Council SUDS which had resulted in Planning Officers withdrawing the second recommended reason for refusal in the Officers’ report.

Peter Harry, a local resident, had earlier asked the Committee to consider his comments made against Planning Application 16/02152/OUT for this item also.

Parish Councillor Kevin Plummer, representing Great Bentley Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Councillor McWilliams, in her capacity as the local Ward Member, had earlier asked the Committee to consider her comments made against Planning Application 16/02152/OUT for this item also.

Following discussion by the Committee, it was moved by Councillor Davis, seconded by Councillor Fowlerand unanimously RESOLVED that the Head of Planning (or equivalent authorised officer) be authorised to refuse outline planning permission for the development, for the following reasons:-

·        The site lies outside the settlement development boundary for Great Bentley as defined in both the adopted and emerging Local Plans. The Council is very close to being able to identify a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites and the new Local Plan is progressing well, so the urgency to approve housing developments contrary to the Local Plan is low. The NPPF advocates a plan-led approach that actively seeks to achieve sustainable patterns of growth, but this development would add to what is already considered to be a disproportionate level of new housing development in Great Bentley. In applying the NPPF’s presumption in favour of sustainable development, the adverse impacts of the proposal, both on the character of Great Bentley and on the Council’s ability to manage growth through the plan-led approach, are not outweighed by the benefits. The development is unnecessary and there is no support from the local community or any overriding public benefits that might warrant the proposal being considered in an exceptional light.

·         No Section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing, education contributions, health contributions and open space has been completed.

The Committee requested that if the application were to be allowed on appeal the reserved matters application should be brought back to the Committee for determination.