Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/17/032

Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under DC/14/1881/HYB for details of access, scale, layout, appearance and landscaping for Development Phase 2 for 80 no. dwellings including 30% affordable housing, associated open space and infrastructure.  Including Details Reserved by Conditions A7, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A19, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A28, A29, A30 and A35 of application DC/14/1881/HYB

Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under DC/14/1881/HYB for details of access, scale, layout, appearance and landscaping for Development Phase 2 for 80 no. dwellings including 30% affordable housing, associated open space and infrastructure.  Including Details Reserved by Conditions A7, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A19, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A28, A29, A30 and A35 of application DC/14/1881/HYB

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it was a major application and the adjoining Parish Council of Great Barton had raised objections which was contrary to the Officer recommendation of approval, subject to a condition, as set out in Paragraph 50 of Report No DEV/SE/17/032.

The Principal Planning Officer – Major Projects explained that the application before the Committee sought Reserved Matters (access, scale layout, appearance and landscaping) following the Hybrid planning application granted in October 2014.

The Officer reminded Members that the scheme before them was phase two of five and made reference to the overall Masterplan which had been adopted in February 2014.

As part of the Case Officer’s presentation, attention was drawn to the comments made by Great Barton Parish Council which primarily raised concern with the density of the scheme.  The Committee was assured that the properties within the application before them were equal, and in some cases larger than, the properties delivered within Phase One.

Lastly, Members were advised that Officers had worked closely with the applicant in respect of the landscaping, particularly in respect of the East boundary which was typically associated with Oak trees, and was pleased to inform the meeting that an agreement had been reached for five Oak trees to be delivered on that boundary as part of the scheme.

However, the Landscape and Ecology Officer had been unable to respond on the most recent set of landscape plans in time for those comments to be considered by the Committee.  Therefore, Officers were seeking an amendment to the recommendation to include Delegated Authority to seek comments from the Landscape & Ecology Officer in respect of the final set of landscape plans, and to subsequently approve the landscaping element of the scheme.

Speaker:      Mr Jordan Last (agent) spoke in support of the application

During discussion, questions were raised with regard to; the type and management of the trees to be included, the new roundabout and the comments made by the Suffolk Constabulary Secure by Design Officer.

In answering these questions the Case Officer clarified that:

·         Councillor Frank Warby’s comments with regard to the detritus created by cherry trees would be noted and passed onto the applicant;

·         Long-term management of the Oak trees and other vegetation had been considered within the landscaping plan;

·         The new roundabout would be adopted by Suffolk County Council Highways; and

·         Suffolk Constabulary Secure by Design Officer had made objections to earlier versions of the plan but these had all been addressed in subsequent amendments, hence, the Officer had no comments to make on the amended scheme.

Councillor David Nettleton praised the applicant for working so closely with the Planning Authority in developing the scheme and moved that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation and inclusive of the Delegated Authority in respect of the landscaping element, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Frank Warby.

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

1.   Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following condition:

                    i.          Development to be built in accordance with the approved plans; and

2.   Officers be given Delegated Authority to seek comments from the Landscape & Ecology Officer in respect of the final set of landscape plans, and to subsequently approve the landscaping element of the scheme.