Agenda item

(Ward: The Worthys)

Proposal Description: Development of seven dwellings and the formation of a new vehicular access (AMENDED PLANS).

It was noted that members of the committee visited the application site on 9 January 2024 to enable members to observe the site in context and to gain a better appreciation of the proposals.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the update sheet which provided additional information regarding several matters including;

1. That an additional condition (26) be included that before development commences, details of the dormouse bridge shall be submitted to, and approved in writing, by the Local Planning Authority and thereby implemented and permanently maintained and retained in accordance with the approved details.
2. That an additional condition (27) be included that notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as amended (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no development permitted by Classes A and E of Part 1 Schedule 2 of the Order shall be carried out without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.
3. In addition, it was proposed to amend the wording of condition 18 regarding Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP)  and condition 20 regarding details being submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority regarding new access works.

The details of these amendments were provided in full as part of the update sheet.

During public participation, Stuart Garnett and Davog McCloskey spoke in support of the application and answered members' questions.

Councillor Jackie Porter spoke as a ward member and expressed several points on behalf of residents and Councillor Cramoyson which could be summarised as follows.

1. She advised of a non-prejudicial interest due to being the Chairman of the Watercress Way, which extended across the Top Field area.
2. She appreciated the officer's information and update, particularly concerning the biodiversity net gain conditions and that the officer's report addressed most issues previously raised about ecology and access.
3. She sought assurance regarding the security of the developer's stated biodiversity net gain commitment over the next three decades.
4. That the significance of the biodiversity of the Top Field was important and that the developers should be requested to clarify how they intended to ensure the longevity of biodiversity net gain as the properties being constructed would be behind the corridor.
5. That previous objections had led to amendments in design, including moving the footpath to the West, but there was disappointment about the choice of access through Burnett Lane and hope for an alternative access route, as initially anticipated by the community and that the loss of a pedestrian link from the Top Field site was seen as regrettable.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application and received further information from the council's Ecologist/Biodiversity Officer regarding the Landscape Ecological Management Plan and from the Committees Legal Adviser regarding the responsibility for the future maintenance of the road and the status of the Section 106 agreement should the land be subsequently sold.

RESOLVED

1.    The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update sheet.

2.    In addition, it was agreed to amend condition 13 to confirm that details of the management company, as stated in section 1.1 of the Landscape Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.