The Chair introduced the item to the committee and invited the Principal Planning Officer (AC) to present his report. 

At the conclusion of the presentation, the Chair thanked the officer and expressed his support for the scheme.   In the absence of any speakers, he passed the matter to the committee for comments. 

Councillor Smith noted the nearby power lines and that they had been there for a long time.  It seemed strange that the minimum distances to the power lines were not taken into account from the outset.  He asked the officer if the three new units were “flexicare”.

The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that they were and briefly addressed the issue of the power lines. 

Councillor Pattinson asked what the difference was between “flexicare” and “extracare”.  She also expressed her disappointment regarding the changes to the design, particularly relating to block D and the loss of the pitched roof lines.  She also expressed regret that the café had also been removed.   

The Principal Planning Officer explained “flexicare” and “extracare”; both allowed the elderly to live independently and have 24 hour support if needed.  He went to comment on the various design changes.   The pitched roofs were lost due to the reduction in massing at the rear. 

He concluded by commenting that although the café had been lost, a café could easily occupy one of the new 9 retail units. 

The Interim Head of Planning and Building Control further clarified that “extra care” was exclusively for residents who required immediate care.  In other words, a very narrow criterion.  Whilst “flexicare” could include those people, but also elderly people who might not immediately require that same level of care, but may need it in the future. 

The Chair then proposed a vote that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a planning obligation under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as set out below, and subject to the conditions in Section 8 of the officer’s report and the amendments in the update sheet.

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, Mills, Sharpe, Smith and Watkin.

Those members voting against the motion:

Councillor Pattinson

The motion was declared to be CARRIED by eight votes to one with no abstentions.

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a planning obligation under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as set out below, and subject to the following conditions:

Section 106 Heads of Terms

i)          To secure the provision of fire hydrants as required to serve the development.

ii)         To secure a minimum of 89 dwellings as affordable housing comprising 9 social rented and 80 affordable rented units. The remaining 44 dwellings to be provided as social rented,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21