Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew Appleby, David Bimson and Stephen Edwards.

Councillor Michael Anderson attended the meeting as substitute for Councillor David Bimson and Councillor Bill Sadler attended as substitute for Councillor Stephen Edwards.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2015 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2015 were unanimously accepted as an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.

Report No: DEV/FH/15/050

(i)                  Outline application - demolition of Hundred Acre Farm and the construction of up to 268 dwellings, new public open space, drainage ditches, associated access, landscaping, infrastructure and ancillary works on land East of Red Lodge and the construction of up to 225 sq., metres of Class A1 retail floorspace on land forming part of Phase 4a Kings Warren; and

(ii)                 Full application - (Phase A): construction of 106 dwellings (including the relocation of 3 committed dwellings from Phase 4a), new public open spaces, associated access, landscaping, infrastructure and ancillary works on land East of Red Lodge. Restoration of open Breck grassland on land South East of Herringswell, as amended.

The Chairman agreed to bring this item forward on the agenda in order to accommodate the members of the public in attendance in connection with this planning application.

Hybrid application:

(i)        Outline application - demolition of Hundred Acre Farm and the construction of up to 268 dwellings, new public open space, drainage ditches, associated access, landscaping, infrastructure and ancillary works on land East of Red Lodge and the construction of up to 225 sq., metres of Class A1 retail floorspace on land forming part of Phase 4a Kings Warren.

(ii)       Full application - (Phase A): construction of 106 dwellings (including the relocation of 3 committed dwellings from Phase 4a), new public open spaces, associated access, landscaping, infrastructure and ancillary works on land East of Red Lodge. Restoration of open Breck grassland on land South East of Herringswell, as amended.

This application had been considered previously by the Development Control Committee on three occasions, culminating in a risk assessment and resolution to grant planning permission at the meeting on 27 August 2014.

The application is returned to the Development Control Committee to enable Members to consider the following material changes in circumstances which had occurred since the decision to grant planning permission was made:

     i.        Enactment of CIL Regulation 123 which led to off-site public open space contributions being dropped from the Section 106 Agreement;

    ii.        The adoption by the Council of the Joint Development Management Policies document in February 2015; and

   iii.        Adoption of new parking guidance by Suffolk County Council in November 2014, replacing the 2002 Suffolk Advisory Parking Standards.

The Committee was reminded that it was a ‘hybrid’ application with the full details of the first 106 dwellings included for consideration.  The later phases of development and the village centre were in outline form with all matters reserved.

Red Lodge Parish Council and a number of neighbouring Parish Councils objected to the proposal on a number of grounds and representations had been received from over 30 residents.

A further Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Officers were continuing to recommend that the application be approved as set out in Paragraph 26 of Report No DEV/FH/15/050 and subject to the following amendments as verbally advised by the Principal Planning Officer – Major Projects:

1.   Recommendation A: first bullet point – the insertion of the words (in bold) “… the Head of Planning Growth, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Development Control Committee together with the relevant Ward Members, agrees that…”

2.   Recommendation A: insertion of the following additional contributions:

·         Libraries £80,136

·         Early Years education £225,367

·         Traffic Calming £45,000

3.   Recommendation A: insertion of an additional obligation to restrict occupancy to no more than Phase A (full application – 106 dwellings) by 1 September 2018.

The Principal Planning Officer – Major Projects advised the Committee that Herringswell Parish Council had submitted additional comments in respect of the application.  Hard copies were tabled to the meeting for the benefit of those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

Report No: DEV/FH/15/049

Householder Planning Application - (i) Alteration and extension to roof allowing for provision of solar tiles; (ii) Installation of chimney for wood burning fire.

Householder planning application – (i) alteration and extension to roof allowing for provision of solar tiles; (ii) installation of chimney for wood burning fire.

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as the applicant was a member of staff.

The Planning Officer confirmed that no objections had been received in respect of the application and Mildenhall Parish Council supported the scheme. 

Officers were recommending that the application be approved as set out in Paragraph 16 of Report No DEV/FH/15/049.

It was proposed by Councillor Bill Sadler that the application be approved and this was duly seconded by Councillor Simon Cole, and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that:

The application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

1.   Time limit

2.   Materials to match

3.   Compliance with plans

Report No: DEV/FH/15/051

Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under outline planning permission DC/14/0632/OUT - appearance, layout and scale for 24 No. two-storey dwellings and 2 No. bungalows

Reserved Matters application – submission of details under outline planning permission DC/14/0632/OUT – appearance, layout and scale for 24 No. two-storey dwellings and 2 No. bungalows.

This application was considered by the Development Control Committee on 7 October 2015 at which the decision was taken to defer the application in order to allow time for Officers to raise the concerns of the Committee with the application regarding the impact of plots 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the development on adjacent residents.

As a result of the deferral the applicant had submitted revised plans which rearranged the layout of the properties along the Eastern edge of the site.  In addition, the layout at the Western edge had also been amended to re-orientate the dwelling on plot 1 in order to position it further from the boundary.

The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that neighbouring residents at South View and Cranford had confirmed that they were pleased with the amendments.

The Committee were advised that Mildenhall Parish Council continued to voice dissatisfaction with the level of parking provided as part of the scheme.

Officers were continuing to recommend that the application be approved as set out in Paragraph 21 of Report No DEV/FH/15/051.

Some Members continued to voice concern at the incomplete pathway that would serve the scheme which would terminate prior to a junction.  Officers agreed to highlight these concerns with Suffolk County Council Highways.  Officers also re-iterated that the access details, including the footpath works, were agreed at the outline stage and the reserved matters application did not include access details.

Councillor David Bowman, as Ward Member for the application, spoke on the scheme and voiced approval at the amendments which had been made by the developer.  He asked if it would be possible to condition the external boundary treatments to ensure that these were in place prior to the construction being commenced.

The Officer confirmed that this could be conditioned, following which Councillor Bowman proposed that the application be approved, together with the additional condition, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Simon Cole and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that:

The application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

1.   Time limit

2.   Retention of hedge

3.   Hours of work

4.   Fire hydrants to be installed within the site

5.   Development to be carried out in accordance with plans

6.   External boundary treatments to be in place prior to the construction being commenced

The Chairman thanked the Principal Planning Officer for the mince pies which had been provided for the Committee meeting and wished all present a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As this was the last Development Control Committee of 2015 she also thanked all Members for their support during the year.