Issue - meetings

That planning permission be refused for the reasons set out at paragraph 2 of the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment). 

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 gave an overview of the application and the main issues.  She  explained that the proposals were for the repositioning of the existing cricket pitch and erection of new pavilion at Northop Cricket Club with associated parking, and erection of 91 No. dwellings with associated infrastructure and landscaping.  She explained that although further responses from Statutory Consultees were awaited as part of the application, the applicants had lodged an appeal on the grounds of non-determination.  The officer outlined the reasons for recommending refusal. 

Councillor Marion Bateman spoke for 3 minutes against the application on the following grounds:  the development would be on the edge of a conservation area which had a number of listed buildings and next to the Grade 1 church of St Eurgain and St. Peter; the site was located outside the settlement boundary of Northop but within a Green Barrier as defined in the Flintshire Unitary Development Plan;  the development would be detrimental to the character and setting of Northop and its conservation area; the application has failed many of the principles of sustainable development; the application  is a large scale development for the size of the community and would impact on the character and appearance of the village.

Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application, Councillor Marion Bateman left the meeting prior to the matter being debated by the committee.

Councillor J Roberts, on behalf of Northop Community Council, spoke against the application on the following grounds; the proposed development did not comply with the Flintshire Unitary Development Plan Policy GEN 4 and was contrary to the UDP in circumstances other than overwhelming need; the development was outside the village envelope and adjacent to a conservation area which included the Grade 1 church of St Eurgain and St. Peter, further listed buildings and their settings; the development of the site for housing would create a significant and unacceptable increase in housing development in the area which had already been subjected to a 22% increase; the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the local facilities and would place a substantial strain on local infrastructure and services; the additional traffic would create a risk to highway safety.  

Councillor Chris Bithell moved the officer recommendation for refusal which was duly seconded.  He said the site was not within the UDP or the settlement boundary of Northop and was against local and national policy.  He stated that the proposed development would have a serious impact on the village which was adjacent to a conservation area and would be detrimental to its character and appearance.  Councillor Bithell commented on the scale of the proposed development which was in addition to that which occurred during the UDP and would result  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151