Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Baigent, Thornburrow, S. Smith and Stobart. Councillors Gilderdale and Garvie attended as alternates.

As Councillor S. Smith sent apologies, Councillor Bradnam (Vice-Chair of JDCC) chaired the meeting.

Councillor Porrer proposed and Councillor Gilderdale seconded for City Councillor Smart to take the role of the City Councillor representative (as Vice-Chair for this meeting alone) for any procedural matters concerning decisions arising from this Joint Development Control Committee meeting.

Therefore, references through these minutes within decisions to Chair and Vice-Chair are to Councillor Bradnam and Councillor Smart. 

The minutes of the meetings held on 18 September 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Committee received a S73 application to vary conditions 1 (Approved drawings) and 28 (Visitor car parking) of planning permission 23/01939/S73 (S73 to vary condition 1 (Approved plans) of reserved matters application 20/02569/REM (Reserved matters application as part of Phase 1B pursuant to condition 5 (Reserved Matters) of outline planning permission S/2682/13/OL dated 30 November 2016 (EIA Development) for detailed access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the creation of 308 new homes, non-residential floor space, laying out of playing fields, open space, allotments, associated infrastructure and internal roads) to replace six two-storey houses (C2 and C3) within phase 1b with three-storey houses and to replace five carports with garages (D4)) to increase the number of visitor car parking spaces that are available to the users of the Plains recreational field.

The Committee noted the following amendments presented in the Amendment Sheet namely:

-       paragraph 1.8 of the Officer’s report - the overall area allocated for parking has been increased to cater for the additional cars and retain two coach parking spaces.

-       paragraph 5.7 of the Officer’s report – the Applicant has resolved the objection received from the Highways Officer through the provision of further information and the objection has consequently been removed.

-       paragraph 5.14 of the Officer’s report – the Sustainability Officer provided no objection and no recommended conditions.

-       paragraph 5.16 of the Officer’s report – the Ecology Officer provided no objection and no recommended conditions.

-       paragraphs 11.11 and 11.12 of the Officer’s report - the proposed condition (pitch flexibility) has been removed from the proposal. Through discussions with the Applicant and Sports England, the condition was deemed too restrictive and given the laying of sports pitches is not considered development the type and size of playing pitch provided can be altered without the need for planning permission at any given time.

It is important to note the existing condition 8 (Playing Field Management and Maintenance Scheme) will be retained and applied to this or any subsequent permission, to ensure the playing pitches are effectively managed, whilst condition 7 restricts the use of the playing fields to outdoor sport only.

Will Cobley (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) addressed the Committee about the application.

In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planner, Strategic Sites Manager said the following:

      i.         Confirmed that condition 31 could be amended to clarify that the ten cycle parking spaces were additional cycle parking spaces to those which already had planning permission

    ii.         In response to a query about whether amendments could be made to the Landscape Management Condition advised that the only conditions which could be considered under this planning application were conditions 30, 31, 32 and 33.

   iii.         In response to concerns raised by Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor) around potential displacement parking, Members were advised that under the Marleigh Design Code the whole site was to be covered by a controlled parking zone. Double yellow lines  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/56/JDCC

The Committee received a reserved matters application detailing, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for junior football pitches and tennis courts with associated infrastructure and drainage pursuant to condition 5 (reserved matter) of outline permission S/2682/13/OL dated 30 November 2016.

Will Cobley (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) addressed the Committee about the application.

In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planner and Strategic Sites Manager said the following:

      i.         In response to comments from Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor) about the lack of increase in sports pavilion space relative to the increase in sports facilities. Members were advised that that the outline planning permission included a sports pavilion with a gross internal area of 200 square metres. This was increased to 260 square metres in accordance with Sports England guidance for pavilions and clubhouses at reserved matters stage phase 1b. Sports England were consulted on those applications and had raised no objections. The only point they requested was in relation to application 24/0387/S73 where they requested the removal of the proposed pitch flexibility condition as it was considered to be too restrictive.

    ii.         The increased size of the pavilion allows for four changing rooms with toilets, an officials’ office and changing room with toilet, wide corridors for wheelchair users, an accessible toilet, a public toilet, storage for sports equipment / table and chairs and a welcoming foyer with an adjacent kitchen.  

   iii.         In response to concerns raised regarding the proximity of adult outdoor space and children’s outdoor space advised that the layout for the playing pitches was indicative and that condition 3 (Playing Field Management and Maintenance Strategy) required details for the management and maintenance of the playing fields to be submitted to the local planning authority. Condition 10 (Tennis Courts Management) also required details regarding the management and maintenance of the tennis courts to be submitted to the local planning authority prior to their construction.

  iv.         Noted Member’s concern regarding the Litter Bin condition and that this should include reference to recycling.  

    v.         An informative could be added to encourage the installation of a defibrillator and publicly accessible water sources for people / animals.

The Strategic Sites Manager offered the following summary of amendments to the Officer’s recommendation for the planning application reflecting Members’ debate during the meeting to approve the reserved matters application 23/04931/REM subject to:

        i.       the planning conditions and informatives as detailed in Section 27 of this report, with delegated authority to Officers to carry through minor amendments to those conditions and informatives (and include others considered appropriate and necessary) with the addition of:

a. informatives to encourage the installation of a defibrillator and publicly accessible water sources for people / animals; and to

      ii.        the prior completion of a planning obligation by deed under S106 and S106A (as appropriate) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) which secures the necessary modifications to the 2016 Agreement supporting S/2682/13/OL, to release  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/57/JDCC

The Committee received an application for full planning permission for the construction of a community garden and storage building with associated landscape and boundary treatments including pedestrian and cycle connection between the Marleigh development and Jack Warren Green.

The Committee noted the following amendments presented in the Amendment Sheet:

i.               amendments to the Officer’s report at:

a.    paragraph 14.3 - an updated Arboricultural Impact Assessment has now been provided, evidencing the tree required to be removed to facilitate the proposed cycle/pedestrian route; and

b.    paragraph 16.2 - the proposed biodiversity net gain is 157.6%;

ii.             amendment to condition 14 (Clerk of Works) to reword the condition and separate it into two conditions (condition 14 and condition 23):

a.    Condition 14. Clerk of Works, as follows:

Prior to the commencement of any planting or soil related ground preparation, details of the proposed landscape phasing and evidence that a suitably qualified clerk of works has been appointed shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the local planning authority.  The clerk of works shall oversee the delivery of all landscaping within a particular phase to ensure that it accords with the approved landscaping details. 

Reason:  To ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of the approved landscaping scheme in accordance with Policies HQ/1 and NH/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 and paragraphs 8 and 11 of the NPPF 2023.

b.    Condition 23. Landscape monitoring and completion report, as follows

Within three months of the final occupation of any building within a landscape phase a monitoring and completion report evidencing compliance (including a photographic record of delivery), with the approved landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of the approved landscaping scheme, in accordance with Policies HQ/1 and NH/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 and paragraphs 8 and 11 of the NPPF 2023.

iii.            with an additional paragraph as (i) to the Officer’s recommendation:

a.    There being no further consultee responses received by the local planning authority during the remainder of the outstanding statutory consultation period which would give rise to new/further material planning consideration/s which would change the officer recommendation of this report. 

Will Cobley (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

The Committee Manager read out a statement on behalf of Councillor Bennett (Abbey Ward Councillor).

Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) and Councillor Cone (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) addressed the Committee about the application.

In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planner said the following:

      i.         Noted concerns from Teversham Parish Council about the change to some of the allotment space to community gardens. Advised that one hectare of allotment space was consented (located by the sports provision to the north of the site) and 0.4 hectares of community garden space was proposed (to the west of the site).

    ii.         Noted concerns raised regarding the loss of allotment space but advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/58/JDCC

Councillor R.Williams and Councillor Flaubert left the meeting part way through the application and did not return.

The Committee received a reserved matters application detailing, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the construction of 332 new homes and commercial space with associated infrastructure, internal roads, open space as part of phase 3 pursuant to condition 5 (reserved matter) of outline permission S/2682/13/OL dated 30 November 2016. Part discharge of Conditions 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 34, 40 of outline planning permission reference number S/2682/13/OL.

The Committee noted the following amendments presented in the Amendment Sheet:

i.               amendments to the Officer’s report:

a.    paragraph 4.4 should state 332 dwellings, not 32.

b.    paragraph 4.9 the proposed biodiversity net gain is 157.6 not 155.

c.    paragraph 14.3 the last sentence should be omitted as the 91 dwellings is not part of this reserved matters application.

d.    paragraph 20.9 the 3 to 5 bedroom dwellings would not be 72 spaces over the standard, as amendments to the 5 bedroom dwellings have been reduced so the number achieves the standard.

e.    paragraph 21.5 the homes do not face onto Marleigh Avenue, but the Western Road within Phase 2.

ii.             amendment to condition 6 (Clerk of Works) to reword the condition and separate it into two conditions (condition 6 and condition 44):

a.    Condition 6. Clerk of Works

Prior to the commencement of any planting or soil related ground preparation, details of the proposed landscape phasing and evidence that a suitably qualified clerk of works has been appointed shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.  The clerk of works shall oversee the delivery of all landscaping within a particular phase to ensure that it accords with the approved landscaping details. 

Reason:  To ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of the approved landscaping scheme in accordance with Policies HQ/1 and NH/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 and paragraphs 8 and 11 of the NPPF 2023.

b.    Condition 44. Landscape monitoring and completion report

Within three months of the final occupation of any building within a landscape phase a monitoring and completion report evidencing compliance (including a photographic record of delivery), with the approved landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of the approved landscaping scheme, in accordance with Policies HQ/1 and NH/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 and paragraphs 8 and 11 of the NPPF 2023.

Will Cobley (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) and Councillor Cone (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) addressed the Committee about the application.

In response to Members’ questions the Principal Planner, Principal Urban Designer said the following:

      i.         Advised an extensive pre-application process had taken place and Officers had been involved in bringing forward enhancements and learning from previous development phases. A design-led  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/59/JDCC

The Committee received an application for full planning permission for the construction of 91 new homes with associated infrastructure, internal roads, open space as part of Phase 3 within the Marleigh development as a modification to outline permission S/2682/13/OL to increase the overall unit numbers across the site to 1391 homes.

The Committee noted the following amendments presented in the Amendment Sheet:

i.    amendments to the Officers report at

a.  paragraph 24.4  Heads of Terms – under Highways - Eastern Access; to clarify, the Newmarket Road cycle scheme relates to the GCP Eastern Access Project and the Chism Trails cycle bridge refers to the Stourbridge Common Cycle Bridge. The sums of money are unchanged.

b.  paragraph 24.4   Proposed Variations to 2016 Agreement

                   a.        3rd item – relating to tennis courts and additional sports pitches – omit reference to “Phase 3”, as phasing is subject to change, to say “Add tennis courts and additional sports pitched and update the Sports Pitches Phasing Plan; and

                   b.        4th item – relating to the trigger for Phase 3 recreation works – change to “additional triggers for proposed additional recreation works.” (no change to existing recreation works triggers proposed.); and

                    c.       to clarify, FOG units are not subject to part M4(2) of the Building Regulations. The Nationally Described Space Standards relate only to the 91 up-lift dwellings; and

ii.  an amendment to condition 20 (Clerk of Works) to reword the condition and to separate it into two conditions (condition 20 and condition 49):

a.    condition 20. Clerk of Works

Prior to the commencement of any planting or soil related ground preparation, details of the proposed landscape phasing and evidence that a suitably qualified clerk of works has been appointed shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.  The clerk of works shall oversee the delivery of all landscaping within a particular phase to ensure that it accords with the approved landscaping details. 

Reason:  To ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of the approved landscaping scheme in accordance with Policies HQ/1 and NH/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 and paragraphs 8 and 11 of the NPPF 2023; and

b.    condition 49. Landscape Monitoring and Completion Report

Within three months of the final occupation of any building within a landscape phase a monitoring and completion report evidencing compliance (including a photographic record of delivery), with the approved landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of the approved landscaping scheme, in accordance with Policies HQ/1 and NH/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 and paragraphs 8 and 11 of the NPPF 2023.

Will Cobley (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Cone (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) and Councillor Hofman (Ward Councillor for Fen Ditton and Fulbourn) addressed the Committee about the application.

In response to Members’ questions the Strategic Sites Manager and the Principal Planner said the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/60/JDCC