Agenda, decisions and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair allowed Members an opportunity to read the late observations which had been circulated at the meeting.

(a)       That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the late observations sheet and in the report of the Head of Planning; and

(b)       That a detailed development brief (including a Masterplan) be reported to the Committee for approval. 

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 16 April 2012.  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 Head of Planning introduced the report and explained that the site was in the Enterprise Zone and that approval of the application would provide the confidence to invest in the Zone.  The Authority would retain control of the whole site based on the number of conditions recommended and through the reserved matters applications which would come forward following the grant of the outline planning permission. 

            The Senior Planner explained that there were additional late observations from Highways to give assurance on three matters which were:-

i)          the extension of the Deeside Shuttle response bus service

ii)         the penetration of the bus service into the site

iii)        the infrastructure and connection to Hawarden Bridge railway station to be required

The site was part of the Deeside Enterprise Zone and had the potential to bring forward 5000 of the 7000 jobs target for the zone.  It was reported that the Northern Gateway allocation had been recognised for some time as a potential crucial economic driver for the sub-region.  In the West Cheshire/North East Wales Spatial Strategy 2006-2021 the site was identified as an important future employment site.  The site was further recognised in the Flintshire Regeneration Strategy 2008-2020 as a critical location for future employment use and wider regeneration benefit.   

            The site formed part of the larger 170 Ha site allocated in policy HSG2A of the Flintshire Unitary Development Plan (UDP).  The remaining 70 Ha lay to the west and south of the site and was in a different ownership.  Policy HSG2A allowed for the mixed use development of the site and stated that the development would be phased over the plan period (2000-2015) and should comprise 20-25 Ha of housing (at least 650 dwellings), 30% of which would be sought as affordable housing.  The current application proposed 725 dwellings on an area of 25 Ha, however Members were referred to the late observations which highlighted that officers did not necessarily accept these figures and required further information.  Proposed condition 45 had been included to cater for this and the condition stated that affordable housing was to be provided in accordance with Council policy and an appropriate scheme was to be agreed detailing precise numbers, sizes and tenures.   

The scheme included enhanced or new health and education sectors and an improved access point and highway improvements.  Proposed condition 4 required the submission and approval of a development brief, masterplan and design statement before submission of any reserved matters application.  The officer drew Members’ attention to paragraph 7.03 which provided details of the major strategic proposals for a mix of development.  Paragraphs 7.38 to 7.40 detailed the parameter plans of the application and the indicative phasing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 246.

                        The meeting commenced at 10.00 a.m. and ended at 11.23 a.m.

                        There were 8 members of the public and 2 members of the press in attendance.