The Principal Planning Officer (AC) presented his report to the committee.  The Chair then invited Ms Tracey Hardy, of Wakelin Associates, to address the committee. 

Ms Hardy highlighted certain areas of the report.  She explained that the development had been redesigned to reduce the impact on neighbouring properties, in consultation with the planning authorities.  She added that the design was such that it would respect the neighbouring properties and had off-road parking and soft landscaping.  This would be an improvement over the existing hard standing. 

She also pointed out that the development was on a brownfield site and offered family housing in an appropriate location in the town.  The development was in accordance with local and national planning policy. 

The Chair thanked Ms Hardy for her presentation and commented that whilst the development was high density, it was difficult to argue against it and it seemed a sensible application.  He added that the unorthodox design reduced the impact on 168 to 178 Sandringham Road and he saw no reason to object to the application. 

Councillor Williams raised the issue that a number of residents were highlighting parking as a loss of amenity.  He asked the Principle Planning Officer to explain the changes to parking and why it was no longer a valid consideration.  

The Principal Planning Officer explained that policy had now moved towards more sustainable forms of transport.  He added that the area was about to have a controlled parking scheme, which would probably reduce pressure on parking. 

Councillor Bell commented that one of the objections mentioned the design and how it would fit into the area.  He asked the officer to detail how the proposal might reflect the character of the area. 

The Principal Planning Officer pointed out that the south side of the road had semi-detached houses, similar to the proposed development.  Additionally, he felt that the size, scale and materials used were similar to surrounding properties and therefore would sit well within the streetscene. 

Councillor Johnson commented briefly that whilst he did not particularly like infill developments, this was policy compliant and he would be supporting it. 

Councillor Smith asked the officer whether the eight new trees detailed on the application were semi-mature or mature, as this would have an effect on the drainage in the area. 

The Principal Planning Officer pointed out that the types of trees were noted on the application and one of the conditions was for the planning authority to agree all the trees and shrubs that would be planted. 

Councillor Collett noted that immature trees get broken and asked if the council could ensure that the trees planted were sufficiently mature. 

The Principal Planning Officer replied that the condition required the trees to be planted within one planting season and for a period thereafter to be replaced if they should die.  This should address Councillor Collett’s concerns. 

Councillor Watkin commented that he would be supporting this application and that he felt it was an improvement over the current garages. 

The Chair then proposed a vote to approve the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.

In accordance with Standing Committee Procedure Rules, paragraph 4.2, Councillor Jeffree requested that it be recorded in the minutes how members cast their votes.

Those members voting for the motion:

Councillors Bell, Collett, Jeffree, Johnson, Pattinson, Smith, Watkin and Williams.

Those members voting against the motion:

None.

Councillor Mills was unable to vote. 

The motion was declared to be CARRIED by eight to none with one Councillor unable to vote.

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below:

1.         The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawings:

-          NTR-20-PL-LP01

-          NTR-20-PL-EX01

-          NTR-20-PL-L01

-          NTR-20-PL-L02

-          NTR-20-PL-L03

-          NTR-20-PL-L04

-          NTR-20-PL-L05

-          NTR-20-PL-L06

-          NTR-20-PL-L07

-          NTR-20-PL-L08

-          NTR-20-PL-L09

3.         No construction works shall commence until detailed design drawings of the houses, including the porches, windows reveals and protrusions, external door reveals, brick banding detailing, eaves details, barge boards and rainwater goods have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out only in accordance with the approved details.

4.         No construction works shall commence until details of the materials to be used for all the external finishes of the building, including walls, roof, doors and windows, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out only in accordance with the approved materials.

5.         No dwelling shall be occupied until full details of a hard landscaping scheme, including details of boundary treatments and the drainage of the parking spaces, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and the works have been carried out in accordance with the approved details. These details shall include 2m x 2m pedestrian visibility sight splays, free from obstruction between a height of 600mm and 2.0m and relative to the back of the footway on both sides of the parking spaces. These visibility splays shall be retained at all times.

6.         No dwelling shall be occupied until full details of a soft landscaping scheme have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved landscaping scheme shall be carried out not later than the first available planting and seeding season after completion of the development.  Any trees or plants whether new or existing which within a period of five years die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, or in accordance with details approved by the Local Planning Authority.

7.         No dwelling shall be occupied until details of the cycle and refuse stores have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and have been constructed in accordance with the approved drawings. The bin stores shall be retained as approved at all times.

8.         Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any modification or re-enactment thereof), no development permitted under Schedule 2, Part 1, Classes A, B, C or D of the Order shall be carried out to the new houses without the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority.

Informatives

1.         Positive and proactive statement

2.         Street Name and Numbering

3.         Building Regulations

4.         Party Wall Act

5.         Community Infrastructure Level Liability

6.         Hours of Construction

7.         Highway Works – HCC agreement required