Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/19/001

Planning Application - 87no. dwellings with associated infrastructure

Planning Application - 87no. dwellings with associated infrastructure

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee as Haverhill Town Council objected to the scheme.

The Committee was advised that the application site had been previously identified and reserved for the construction of a Middle School.  However, following Suffolk’s Schools Reorganisation Review the site was no longer required for this purpose and it was not identified for any alternative suitable community uses.

The greenfield site was therefore put forward as a small scale allocation in Policy HV5 of the Haverhill Vision 2031.

Members were advised that over the course of the application amendments had been made to the overall design and layout of the scheme and additional information was submitted regarding ecology, archaeology and drainage.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to the completion of a S106 Agreement and conditions, as set out in Paragraph 13.1 onwards of Report No DEV/SE/19/001.

As part of the Senior Planning Officer’s presentation she advised Members of the following updates:

·         A late representation had been received the evening prior to the Committee from a resident at 28 Powell Road who objected to the application on grounds of traffic, safety, privacy, ecology and air/noise pollution.  A copy of the email was tabled to all Members for their reference; and

·         At the site visit Members had asked a question with regard to the timing of the delivery of the area of open space.  The Officer confirmed that the open space would be required prior to the occupation of the 78^th dwelling.

Speakers:    Mrs Eileen Bocock (neighbouring resident) spoke against the application

                   Ms Audrey Cain (neighbouring resident) spoke against the application

                   Mr Jordan Last (applicant) spoke in support of the application

Councillor John Burns spoke at length on the application and made reference to the number of changes that had been made since initial submission.  Whilst he welcomed a number of elements of the scheme, such as the disabled-access bungalow, he strongly opposed the proposed pedestrian/cycle link which would connect the site to the existing footpath along Howe Road, and which had been objected to by a number of residents.

Councillor Burns made reference to a number of photographs that he had emailed his fellow Members of the Committee and which he argued showed that the Howe Road was not suitable for the proposed pedestrian/cycle link.

The Senior Ecology and Landscape Officer was invited to speak by the Chairman in order to outline to the Committee the reasoning for the proposed linkage. 

The Officer highlighted the ecological importance of the area of Public Open Space and explained that this was part of the reason why a pedestrian/cycle link had been eliminated on the South/East side of the site.  If a foot/cycle way was to be accommodated in that region it would require trees to be removed and lighting to be provided, which would have an impact on the natural area.

A number of other Members expressed a similar view to that of Councillor Burns.  Councillor Julia Wakelam stated that she understood that the developer had been willing to explore an alternative pedestrian/cycle link but had not undertaken this in light of concerns raised by statutory consultees.

Councillor Terry Clements made reference to some of the proposed properties being slightly smaller than the National Prescribed Space Standards.  The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that a defined Planning Authority Policy for Space Standards would be picked up as part of the development of the West Suffolk Local Plan.

Following further discussion, Councillor John Burns proposed that approval of the application be delegated to Officers, subject to the removal of the Howe Road pedestrian/cycle link and the inclusion of alternative provision, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairmen and Ward Members for Haverhill North and Haverhill East.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Julia Wakelam.

Upon being put to the vote and with 13 voting for the motion and 1 against, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be DELEGATED to the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulatory Services), subject to the removal of the Howe Road pedestrian/cycle link and the inclusion of alternative provision, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairmen and Ward Members for Haverhill North and Haverhill East.