Agenda item

Site Plan

Outline application for the erection of 8 No. 2-bed dormer bungalows with associated infrastructure

The application was for outline planning permission for the construction of 8 two bedroomed dormer bungalows on Council owned land at the rear of Ibstock Close and Foxcote Close.  It was noted that all matters were reserved for future consideration, namely access, layout, scale appearance and landscaping.

Whilst the detail would be subject to a further application, Officers were able to provide an indicative plan showing one potential configuration of the proposed dwellings.  Although not for decision at this stage, the plan showed the proposed access route which would pass through an existing area communal of garages and parking spaces to link the site to Ibstock Close.

Members were referred to the Ecological Appraisal that had been undertaken, and to the nine criteria for assessing application for development on open space land under Policy 13 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No. 4.

It was noted that the Council cannot currently demonstrate a 5 year supply of housing land and that for this application the presumption in favour of sustainable development would apply unless any adverse impacts would outweigh the benefits.  Officers had concluded that any adverse impacts arising from granting permission for the residential development of the site would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme as a whole which would provide affordable housing to meet the Council’s identified housing needs. Accordingly, the scheme was recommended for approval.

Mr Keith Andrews, a local resident, addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules.

In response to questions from Members officers confirmed that:-

·         The triangle of land at the north of the site was not included in the application and would be retained as public open space.

·         The lay out plan seen by Members was indicative only and there could be alternative configurations to enable the availability of open space within the site to be maximised.

During the debate Members expressed their sympathy with the comments of the public speaker regarding the loss of open space for children in the surrounding streets to play in.  At the same time Members acknowledged the shortage of affordable housing in the Borough and the need this created for new dwellings.

Whilst recognising that the application was for outline permission only, Members did ask that their observations on the indicative layout plan be noted in the Minutes as follows:-

·         That green space should be retained as far as possible, and this could be achieved by looking at the use of the triangle of open land north of the site, and the configuration of the proposed dwellings within the site.

·         Any green space should be readily accessible.

·         With regard to the access from Ibstock Close, that consideration be given to the comments of the public speaker that larger parked vehicles, such as vans, might protrude onto the access road.

Members were also mindful of ensuring that notwithstanding the development, there should be provision for suitable facilities for children in the area to play.

RESOLVED that

Having regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions and informatives set out on pages 32 to 34 of the main agenda.