Agenda item

Report No: DEV/FH/18/011

Planning Application - 11no. dwellings and 51no. parking spaces (following demolition of 70no. garages)

Planning Application - 11no. dwellings and 51no. parking spaces (following demolition of 70no. garages)

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it was one of five applications across five sites, totalling 41 dwellings, which had raised issues of significant concern to local residents.

Mildenhall Parish Council and the Highways Authority objected to the proposal and Officers were recommending that the application be refused for the reasons set out in Paragraph 78 of Report No: DEV/FH/18/011.

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee of the following updates/corrections since publication of the agenda:

·         In respect of Paragraph 39 of the report the applicants had since indicated that they considered 25 parking spaces to be available;

·         Paragraph 41 should have made reference to “…all existing rented garages…” of which the applicant has advised totals 18;

·         Lastly, attention was drawn to the supplement issued as an addendum to the agenda (following publication of the revised NPPF) and the amended recommendations set out therein for this report. 

In his presentation the Case Officer included proposed elevations and street scenes of the development alongside photographs which illustrated the degree of layby and on-street parking which took place in Emmanuel Close.

Whilst the benefits of the scheme (housing supply and job creation) were recognised, Officers did not consider that these outweighed the potential harmful impacts of the development these being; the overlooking and impact on amenity and the severe impact on the highway due to the shortfall of parking provision that would have to be accommodated on the highway network.

Speakers:    Jean Berrigan (resident) spoke against the application

Luke Fairall (on behalf of agent) spoke in support of the application

Councillor Louis Busuttil was invited to speak first by the Chairman, in his capacity as Ward Member (Great Heath) for the application.  Councillor Busuttil spoke in support of the Officer recommendation for refusal and stated that, whilst he welcomed proposals for affordable housing, he considered that the development would create a severe parking/highway issue.  Accordingly, he moved the recommendation for refusal and this was duly seconded by Councillor David Bowman.

Councillor Ruth Bowman also spoke in support of the motion for refusal and cited specific concerns with the harmful overlooking impact that the development would cause.

With the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1. The development would lead to a shortfall of parking provision that would have to be accommodated on the highway network. Taking into account the existing parking pressures in the area, this additional on-street parking would lead to a severe impact on the highway due to obstructive and inconsiderate parking which would affect all users including emergency service vehicles and pedestrians. On this basis the application is contrary to Joint Development Management Policies DM2 and DM22 and paragraphs 108,110 and 127 of the revised NPPF; and

2. Due to the harmful overlooking impact to no. 32 Emmanuel Close, the proposal fails to accord with the relevant requirements of Joint Development Management (JDM) Policies DM2 and DM22 and paragraphs 124, and 127 of the revised NPPF with respect to the consideration of neighbouring residential amenity.