Agenda item

This application was being reported to the Planning Committee because the application wasfor a major development and required a Section 106 agreement, as such the application felloutside the Scheme of Delegation to Officers.

Officers presented the report and in doing so, drew Members’ attention to the updated presentation slides on pages 5 to 26 of the Update Report 1 pack.

The application was for St Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church and sought the redevelopment of the land to construct 25 affordable dwellings, with associated works.

Additional footpaths were being provided along Treville Close and Winyates as detailed on pages 23 to 25 of the Update Report 1 pack. Part of the footpath on Treville Close would require the removal of a section of hedgerow which included a number of trees and tree stumps. Officers noted that the Arboricutural Officer had no objections to the removal of the trees.  However, an additional consultation had been undertaken with those residents effected and was due to run until 10^th April 2023.

Ecological assessments had been undertaken in an earlier application in 2016, however, the surveys for the current application had not been undertaken in the required period of May-September to ascertain the full ecological impact of the development on the site; therefore, Officers were requesting delegated powers to determine the application pending the completion of the ecological surveys. Officers assured Members that should any issues arise from the ecological assessments then the application would be brought back to the Committee for consideration and determination.

Finally, Officers detailed that there were site specific constraints associated with the sewer that existed on site and associated legislation regarding building on and around such systems. As a direct consequence there were viability issues associated with the scheme and the section 106 agreement did not therefore include any financial contributions apart from a contribution to supply refuse bins as detailed in Update Report 2.

At the invitation of the Chair the applicant, Mr Tom Wragg, spoke in support of the application.

Officers clarified the following during questions from Members:

• That the sewer would run underneath the road which was inline with standard policy to not build under houses and private gardens.
• That the appropriate space requirements were generally achieved at the north of the site in regard to the rear existing properties, additionally, there were oriel windows proposed for units 1 and 2 to prevent overlooking.
• That all 25 properties were affordable housing units with 13 for social rent and 12 shared ownership. Officers also confirmed that 8 units were being protected as Affordable housing as part of the section 106.

Members then considered the application which Officers had recommended be approved via a Delegation.

Members noted the 100% affordable housing provision on the site and although there was only a small contribution via the section 106 agreement; Members were of the opinion that the enhancements to the footpaths, the affordable housing and the developer making use of a derelict site, which had become the target of anti-social behaviour, weighed favourably for the application.

on being put to a vote it was

RESOLVED that

having had regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, authority be delegated to the Head of Planning, Regeneration and Leisure Services to GRANT planning permission subject to:-

1. The amended recommendation as detailed on page 4 of the Update Report 2 pack and
2. The Conditions as outlined on pages 27 to 33 of the Public Reports pack.