Issue - meetings

That the application be deferred to allow clarification of the site area and density in relation to earlier applications and the UDP allocation.

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.

The officer provided background to the application for the development of a 0.94 hectare site for 24 No. dwellings together with associated highway and infrastructure works.  The application had previously been considered in 2013 and was included in the UDP for the purposes of residential development.  The officer highlighted the potential for bats around the site and said that a survey had been undertaken on which Natural Resources Wales had raised no objections, subject to the appropriate conditions and acquisition of a licence.

On behalf of the applicant, Mr. P. Darwin, said that the report benefited from housing allocation and previous permission given for 23 No. dwellings, thus establishing the principles of development on the site and access to the main road.  He said that the development would provide a mix of property types at a scale and density in keeping with the area, which would contribute towards local housing demand.  The site layout had been agreed with officers and followed the principles of the previous scheme.  The site was located within the settlement boundary with easy access to local facilities and no objections had been received.  Mr. Darwin said that this was a deliverable and viable scheme within the settlement boundary and would provide a range of economic benefits including housing, additional Council Tax revenue and S106 contributions.

Councillor Chris Bithell proposed the officer recommendation for approval of the application, which was duly seconded.  Whilst he had no objections to the application as it was within the settlement boundary, he asked whether the capacity issues with the sewerage works had been resolved as this had been a factor in the previous application.

Councillor Derek Butler spoke about an issue with an adjacent development and traffic in the area, but had no concerns in respect of planning.

Councillor Mike Peers pointed out reference in the report to the previous application on the site being determined in March 2011 where the resolution had included provision for contributions in lieu of affordable housing, as this was just below the threshold.  He said that the site was allocated in the UDP for 1.1 hectare, more than that stated in the current application, and that this should provide 25 units invoking the affordable housing element of the policy.  In view of this, he felt that further discussions were needed or a deferral to consider whether 25 units could be provided.

Councillor Richard Jones suggested that if the application was agreed, the time limit on the conditions should be changed from six months to twelve months.

In response to the question from Councillor Bithell, it was confirmed that a condition had been included in the previous application relating to works at the water station and that this had been completed, hence there had been no objections from Welsh Water to this application.

On  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43