Agenda item

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) and a Section 106 Obligation or Unilateral Undertaking, to secure the following :-

a.         Ensure the payment of a contribution of £49,500 in lieu of 66% of on-site recreation provision, the sum to be used to enhance the children’s play area at Chapel Street Play Area. The contribution shall be paid upon 50% occupation or sale of the dwellings hereby approved, and

b.         Five gifted dwellings comprising three three-bed and two two-bed dwellings to be gifted to NEW Homes and made available via an intermediate rental model

c.         Five shared equity units (30% equity retention) comprising five three-bed dwellings

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) 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 advised that this was a reserved matters application for 64 dwellings with associated open space and associated infrastructure.  He drew attention to the late observations in relation to the application which stated that the application related to 64 dwellings not 67 and provided clarity in terms of the affordable housing component. 

The officer advised that  the application provided details of the siting, design, external appearance and landscaping of the site following the grant of outline planning permission 044232 and the extensions of time for the submission of Reserved Matters subsequently granted under 048605 and 052169.  The issues associated with the principle of developing this site for residential development had been dealt with at the outline stage.  It was considered that the details of the scheme did not raise any issues in relation to impact on residential amenity or the character of the area.  He referred to the recommendations as detailed in the report that conditional planning permission be granted subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Obligation or Unilateral Undertaking or making an advance payment with the conditions attached.  The officer referred to the main considerations as detailed in the report around design and impact upon character and amenity, access, education, and S106 public open space.

Councillor Owen Thomas proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded. Councillor Mike Peers commented on affordable housing and  the matter of gifted properties and shared equity.  He referred to the decision to take gifted properties and said whilst this was acceptable it would be useful to have a report from the Housing Strategy Manager to explain the rationale behind suggested affordable housing provision in order to assist the Committee with future decision making.  He asked that this apply to all items submitted to the Planning Committee and officers agreed to this.

Councillor Nancy Matthews commented on the design of some of the dwellings which were 3 storeys and queried whether they were compatible with other buildings in the area.

Councillor Owen Thomas asked that gifted and first time buyer houses be allocated to local people.

RESOLVED: 

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) and a Section 106 Obligation or Unilateral Undertaking, to secure the following :-

a.         Ensure the payment of a contribution of £49,500 in lieu of 66% of on-site recreation provision, the sum to be used to enhance the children’s play area at Chapel Street Play Area. The contribution shall be paid upon 50% occupation or sale of the dwellings hereby approved, and

b.         Five gifted dwellings comprising three three-bed and two two-bed dwellings to be gifted to NEW Homes and made available via an intermediate rental model

c.         Five shared equity units (30% equity retention) comprising five three-bed dwellings