Issue - meetings

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning and subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Obligation/Unilateral Undertaking to provide the following:-

• The payment of a contribution of £195,000 towards affordable homes provision in the community.  Such sum to be paid upon completion or occupation of the 9^th dwelling hereby approved. 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning in respect of this application which had been the subject of a site visit on 14 January 2013.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.

            The officer detailed the background to the report and explained that the principle had been established when outline planning permission was granted.  The proposed development was for 19 dwellings which would achieve Level 3 of the code for Sustainable Homes.  A number of issues had been considered in the report including the impact upon the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  The issues of flood risk, drainage and land contamination had all been dealt with at the outline application stage so there was no need to replicate the issues in this application.  A landscape buffer and area for children’s play space formed part of the application with the play area being accessed by a footbridge. 

            Councillor W.O. Thomas proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He felt that the site was an eyesore but he raised concern about a commuted sum being offered in lieu of affordable housing and the lack of a request for an educational contribution.  Councillor Thomas hoped that the play area would meet the standards set by the authority and he raised concern on highway grounds due to the increased traffic which would be generated onto the A541 as a result of the application. 

            The local Member, Councillor J. Falshaw, referred to the play area and asked if it would be transferred to the Council with the developer providing a sum for the maintenance of the play space.  He also said that the entry to the play area was on a privately owned road and requested that a sign by erected about no parking in the road.  He also asked for anti-glare lighting as the site was close to the AONB.  He queried whether the courtyard areas were large enough to accommodate the number of cars which would be created by the development.  Councillor Falshaw also sought an update on the drainage problems in the area, particularly in Caerwys. 

            In response to Councillor Thomas’s query about educational contributions, Councillor R.C. Bithell referred to the comment from the Director of Lifelong Learning on page 56 that the local schools had in excess of 30% surplus capacity and therefore no contribution had been sought in respect of educational needs.  He raised concern about the possible flood risk in the area and the comments of the Environment Agency on flood alleviation.  He asked if a Grampian style condition was required until the works by Welsh Water had been completed. 

            Councillor M.J. Peers asked for further detail on the affordable housing element of the application and said that 30% of 19 dwellings was 5.7 and therefore the sum requested towards affordable homes provision in the community should be £195,000; he proposed this as an amendment to the recommendation which was duly seconded.  He also asked if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 136