Agenda item

Development of 13 dwellings with Associated Landscaping and Infrastructure.

Councillor Bray had earlier declared for the public record in regards to Planning Application 19/00283/FUL that he was also a Frinton and Walton Town Councillor, however, he stated that he had not been involved in discussions on the application at the Town Council and was not pre-determined.

Councillor Clifton, who was present in the public gallery, had earlier declared for the public record in regards to Planning Application 19/00283/FUL that he was the local Ward Councillor and that he was also a Frinton and Walton Town Councillor.

It was reported that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Clifton, due to his concerns relating to affordable housing provision, the design and street scene impact, poor layout and density, highway safety and parking.

Members were informed that outline consent for the erection of up to 240 dwellings with a community hub including either a 40 bed space care home (Class C2) or a healthcare facility (Class D1) together with access from Halstead Road, Woburn Avenue and Buckfast Avenue; a parking area for up to 30 vehicles; green infrastructure provision including children's play area, kick-about area, footpaths, structural landscaping and biodiversity enhancement; a sustainable drainage system including detention basin and swales and other related infrastructure and services provision had been granted at appeal on 6 September 2016.  Phases 1 and 2 of the development had already been approved and were currently under construction.  Phase 3 situated towards the south-west of the site, to the east of Phase 1 of the development had been recently granted permission.

Members were further informed that the land subject of this application was shown as a community hub with either a 40 bedroom care home or a medical facility under the original outline permission 15/01234/OUT. The applicant had provided evidence that there was no interest in the provision of a care home and it had similarly been confirmed by NHS England that they were not in a position to agree to the land option for a healthcare facility on the site and would prefer to receive the alternative financial contribution (£389.67 per dwelling) secured through the Section 106 Agreement attached to the site-wide outline planning permission in order to support improvements to existing local medical facilities.

It was reported that this application had been amended and now sought full planning permission for 13 dwellings with associated landscaping and infrastructure.

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 Temporary Planning Team Leader (TF) in respect of the application.

Steve Brown, a local resident, spoke against the application.

Councillor Paul Clifton, the local Ward Member, spoke against the application.

Following discussion by the Committee and advice provided by Officers, it was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Alexander and unanimously RESOLVED that consideration of this application be deferred in order to allow negotiations to take place with the applicant with a view to securing amendments to the scheme with respect to plots 1-4 inclusive, with these plots being pushed southwards and plots 1 and 2 being reduced to bungalows. It was also requested that a landscaping scheme be provided to the northern boundary of the site.