Issue - meetings

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning (with draft condition 5 amended as suggested), the additional condition detailed in the late observations and subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Obligation/Unilateral Undertaking to provide the following:-

a)         Payment of an educational contribution of £10,500 towards primary educational provision/improvements to local education facilities at Hawarden Infants School and £7,000 towards similar secondary education level provision at Hawarden High School.  The contributions shall be paid prior to occupation of the first dwelling. 

b)         Ensure payment of a commuted sum payment in lieu of on site recreation/open space provision of £12,100 with such monies to be used to enhance existing play and recreation facilities within the community.  Such sum payable upon sale or occupation of the fifth dwelling. 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning in respect of this application.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.  Additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting.

                        The officer detailed the background to the report and explained that following deferment at the previous meeting, the requisite amendments to the planning application form had been made and submitted to the Local Planning Authority and the requisite Notice of Application had been served upon the Council as both landowner and Local Highway Authority. 

                        Councillor A.M. Halford said that she was declaring an interest as a School Governor and that she would not take part in the debate but would not be leaving the meeting.  The Democracy & Governance Manager requested a short adjournment to allow him to advise Councillor Halford. 

                        Following a short adjournment,Ms. K. James spoke against the application on behalf of residents.  She queried the presumption in favour of development under Policy HSG3 as she felt that other employment uses had not been fully considered.  The site was not needed for housing and the scale of the development would have a detrimental impact on residents and the density was too high at 53 dwellings per hectare.  The application would overdominate the area and would be detrimental to highway safety and in her opinion was considered to be inappropriate.       

                        Councillor Cheryl Carver on behalf of Hawarden Community Council spoke against the application.  She felt that the application should be refused on the grounds of the development being out of character for the location and the density on the site being too high. She said that the development should mirror the properties in the immediate vicinity and referred to the listed building situated across the road from the site and to the rear of the site was Birch Rise which consisted of Georgian style detached houses.  She could not see any resemblance to the layout being reflective of the Queen Mary Cottages which were located to the east of the site, as was indicated in the report.  Councillor Carver said that the density of dwellings would add to the parking problems of residents’ cars in Hawarden as she felt that some of those living in the development, and any visitors, would not park in the gated courtyard.  She asked Members to refuse the application.   

                        Councillor D. Evans proposed refusal of the application against officer recommendation which was duly seconded. 

                        The local Member, Councillor C.S. Carver spoke against the application.  His main concern related to the density of the development and explained that six of the dwellings in terrace form would front on to The Highway with a further terrace of three dwellings fronting onto Birch Rise with a pair of semi detached dwellings fronting onto a private road which was accessed off Birch Rise.  He felt that the proposal was out of character with the immediate area as even though there were areas in Hawarden which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43