Issue - meetings

Cllr Page-Croft vacated the room and took no part in proceedings whilst this item was determined by the Committee.

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for a residential development containing 14 flats comprising 8 x 2-bed units and 6 x 1-bed units, along with access, car parking and associated landscaping following demolition of the existing buildings.

The Senior Planner updated his report by referring to details on the amendment sheet:

Pre-Committee Amendments to Recommendation:

APPROVE subject to: (a) the prior completion of a s106 Agreement to secure planning obligations as identified in paragraphs 8.73 to 8.75 of the 29th August 2018 report; and (b) delegated authority to pursue a viability review mechanism to secure a commuted financial contribution for off-site affordable housing provision, if required, as identified in paragraph 6.7 of the 11th June 2019 report (c) and the following conditions: In the event that the application is refused, and an Appeal is lodged against the decision to refuse this application, delegated authority is sought to allow officers to negotiate and complete the Planning Obligation required in connection with this development

The Senior Planner proposing new conditions/informative referring to:

       i.          Boundary treatment.

     ii.          Hedgehog friendly fences.

   iii.          Electric vehicle charging points.

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a local resident.

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          Referred to the extract of the site plan he circulated at committee.

     ii.          Referred to concerns and comments regarding the basement access ramp gradient made by Councillor Thornburrow at the 29 August 2018 Planning Committee. The design had been reconfigured but was still impractical:

a.    The ramp would not be covered along its entire length.

b.    There would be no delivery vehicle area due to ramp.

c.    Residents’ had on-going concerns.

Mr Griffiths (Applicant) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor McGerty (Queen Edith's Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application:

       i.          Advised the Committee that Councillor Page-Croft had taken no part in campaigning about this planning item. Any information to the contrary was erroneous.

     ii.          Expressed concern about the (lack of any) affordable housing provision.

   iii.          Expressed concern about the type of accommodation provided through this scheme. The City needed the right type of accommodation.

   iv.          Referred to P47 (paragraph 6.6) of the agenda pack and sought clarification on the proposed clawback clause. This clause would ensure that if the development delivers more revenue than predicted by the viability assessment, the applicant would be required under the terms of a planning obligation to pay a financial contribution to the Council for the delivery of affordable housing off-site.

The Committee:

Resolved (by 4 votes to 3) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, amendment sheet and subject to additional boundary treatment and EV charging point conditions, and an informative regarding hedgehogs.