Agenda item - Planning Application DC/21/2094/OUT - Townsend Nurseries, Snow Hill, Clare (Report No: DEV/WS/22/043)

Agenda item

Planning Application DC/21/2094/OUT - Townsend Nurseries, Snow Hill, Clare (Report No: DEV/WS/22/043)

Report No: DEV/WS/22/043

 

Outline planning application (means of access to be considered) - 20 dwellings

Minutes:

Outline planning application (means of access to be considered) - 20 dwellings

 

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following call-in by one of the Clare, Hundon and Kedington Ward Members (Councillor Nick Clarke).

 

In addition, Clare Town Council objected to the application which was in conflict with the Officers’ recommendation that the application be approved, subject to conditions and the completion of a S106 legal agreement, as set out in Paragraph 74 of Report No DEV/WS/22/043.

 

The Senior Planning Officer advised that two additional archaeological conditions would need to be included within the recommendation and also showed videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

 

Speakers:    Gary Brown (objector, speaking on behalf of himself and other neighbouring resident objectors) spoke against the application

                   Councillor Nick Clarke (Ward Member: Clare, Hundon and Kedington) spoke against the application

                   Councillor Marion Rushbrooke (Ward Member: Clare, Hundon and Kedington) spoke against the application

                   Phil Cobbold (agent) spoke in support of the application

                   (Councillor Clarke was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer read out a pre-prepared statement on his behalf.)

 

During the debate a number of questions/comments were posed by Members which the Officer responded to as follows:

Air Quality – Environmental Health had not flagged any air quality related concerns in relation to the application;

Subsidence and Soil Conditions – would be covered by the Building Regulations process;

Visibility Splays/Highways – the Local Highways Authority was satisfied with the visibility splays as proposed, they had also not requested the inclusion of double-yellow lines as a result of the scheme, however, this could be pursued separately by local Members if desired;

Electric Charging Points – the relevant condition could be reworded in relation to the communal charging points to mirror that of the previous (West Row) application considered by the Committee, if Members wished;

Nursery Use – it had been some considerable years since a nursery operated on the site, therefore a marketing exercise was not required; and

NHS West Suffolk CCG – Officers confirmed that the CCG asked to only be consulted on schemes with 50 or more dwellings proposed, hence, they had not commented on this application.

 

Considerable discussion took place on the drainage/flooding issues experienced in Clare and the concerns that the scheme would exacerbate the problem, as raised by the Ward Members, Town Council and resident objectors.

 

The Senior Planning Officer highlighted that Suffolk County Council as the lead local authority for flooding was content with the relevant conditions proposed. Furthermore, Anglian Water had confirmed that there was sufficient capacity for the scheme.

 

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that the issue currently being experienced in Clare was understood to be due to the age of the pipes concerned. It would not be reasonable or appropriate to require the applicant to address this in connection with this application. The applicant could only be required to provide mitigation measures necessary for the development itself to proceed. Without a technical objection from a statutory consultee the matter would need to be pursued separately; which she understood Councillor Nick Clarke was undertaking.

 

Councillor Jim Thorndyke made reference to the location of the crossing and the risk that this could displace parked cars. In light of this, and the previous concerns raised regarding the visibility splays, he proposed that the application be deferred in order to allow a Committee site visit to be undertaken before determining the application. It was also suggested that further discussion could also be held with Anglian Water prior to the next meeting. This was duly seconded by Councillor Ian Houlder.

 

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

 

Decision

 

That consideration of the application be DEFERRED in order to allow a Committee site visit to be undertaken and to allow time for Officers to have further discussions with Anglian Water.

 

(On conclusion of this item the Chair permitted a short comfort break.)

Supporting documents:

 

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