Agenda item

            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 the local Member had been involved in discussions about affordable housing. 

            The officer drew Members attention to condition 12 about the maintenance and management of the play area and said that the Council could not compel anyone to give the Authority the land for adoption but should they choose to do so, then appropriate maintenance funding would be considered.  In response to a query from Councillor Falshaw, the officer said that the level of parking was considered to be acceptable.  He explained that the flood alleviation works were complete and the signage requested by Councillor Falshaw could not be erected by the Council without consent as it was on private land. 

On the issue of educational contributions, Councillor R.B. Jones said that there was a need to look at the capacity of the nearest primary/secondary schools that would be affected by the development when determining whether contributions were required.  Councillor D. Hutchinson raised concern that the footbridge to the proposed play area was over a fast flowing river and he felt that the crossing should be more substantial than a flat causeway. 

In response to the queries raised, the officer said that he had spoken to the local Member about the affordable housing element of the application and how the monies would be used in the locality.  He advised Councillor Jones that the response from the Director of Lifelong Learning on educational contributions was reported on page 56.  The details of the bridge to the play area would form part of the scheme to be submitted to include the layout and landscape of the area. 

            On being put to the vote, the amendment to ask for a contribution of £195,000 towards affordable homes provision was CARRIED. 

            RESOLVED:

            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.