Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/18/024

Planning Application - Variation of condition 1 of DC/16/2836/RM to enable drawing PH-125-03C to be replaced with 040/P/102 and PH-125-04C to replaced with 040/P/101 and add plan 040/T/152A for the additional 24no. garages for the Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under outline planning permission SE/09/1283/OUT - The appearance, layout, scale, access and landscaping for 200 dwellings, together with associated private amenity space, means of enclosure, car parking, vehicle and access arrangements together with proposed areas of landscaping and areas of open space for a phase of residential development known as Phase 1

(Councillor Mike Chester declared a local non pecuniary interest in this item, in that a family member was employed by the applicants.)

Planning Application - Variation of condition 1 of DC/16/2836/RM to enable drawing PH-125-03C to be replaced with 040/P/102 and PH-125-04C to replaced with 040/P/101 and add plan 040/T/152A for the additional 24no. garages for the Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under outline planning permission SE/09/1283/OUT - The appearance, layout, scale, access and landscaping for 200 dwellings, together with associated private amenity space, means of enclosure, car parking, vehicle and access arrangements together with proposed areas of landscaping and areas of open space for a phase of residential development known as Phase 1

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee because the Parish Council objected, which was contrary to the Officer recommendation of approval.

The Principal Planning Officer advised of two corrections to Report No DEV/SE/18/024; firstly, the recommendation on page one should have read “approval” (as opposed to “seeking further information”).  And, secondly as pointed out by Councillor John Burns, the address for the application was “Ann Sucklings Road” (rather than “Anne Sucklings Lane”).

The Committee was also informed of an ongoing enforcement investigation in respect of the site and pre-commencement condition in addition to the recent unauthorised removal of vegetation which included protected trees and an ancient hedge.  Whilst Council Officers were working with the applicant in respect of this matter, Members were reminded that this was not a relevant consideration when determining the application before them.

As part of her presentation the Officer drew attention to the table within Paragraph 3 of the report which explained that the majority of the proposed garages were provided in addition to the previously approved parking space.  However, five of the garages would be constructed on the approved parking spaces, therefore, for these plots a hard standing area was also to be provided upon which a shed would be erected to provide additional outdoor storage, therefore enabling the garage to be used for parking.

The Committee were advised that the conditions listed in Paragraph 48 of the report were the full conditions stipulated as part of the scheme’s previously granted approval with a minor amendment to reflect the Section 73 application seeking determination.

Speaker:      Mr Stuart McAdam (applicant) spoke in support of the application

Considerable discussion took place by the Committee with regard to the size of the proposed garages.  Reference was made to Paragraph 39 of the report which set out the dimensions specified within the Parking Guidance.  Whilst it was appreciated that the Highways Authority had not registered an objection to the application; Members voiced considerable concern that the garages proposed did not comply with the guidance and would not be fit for purpose, thereby, resulting in residents having to park elsewhere leading to highway safety issues.

It was therefore proposed by Councillor John Burns that the application be deferred in order to allow Officers additional time to work with the applicant and clarify the garage provision.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Terry Clements.

Councillor Ian Houlder asked if it would be possible to include electric vehicle charging points.  The Case Officer explained that this would have needed to have been secured at outline stage of the application and Officers would only be able to make an informal request at this late stage.

At this point the Chairman invited the applicant to speak in response to the motion proposed.  The applicant suggested that instead of deferring the application that Members approved it subject to delegating the clarification of garage provision to the Assistant Director (Planning and Regulatory Services).

Councillor Alaric Pugh spoke in opposition to this proposal which he did not consider to be a satisfactory way forward; as concurred with by the Committee.

Accordingly, the Chairman put the motion to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

The planning application be DEFERRED in order to allow Officers additional time in which to work with the applicant and clarify the garage provision, in light of Members’ concerns raised particularly with regard to the internal floor area and the Suffolk Advisory Parking Standards.