Issue - meetings

This was an application for the erection of 22no. dwellings, a retirement living complex containing 66no. units and 10no. bungalows, indoor sports facility and community hall with associated car parking, additional parking for local community organisations, alterations to 2no. existing accesses and provision of 2no. new vehicular accesses, associated landscaping, attenuation pond, public open space and infrastructure on the site of former New College Telford, King Street, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire.

This application was presented to committee as it required financial contributions via section 106.

An update report was tabled at the meeting.

Mr S Thompson, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application which was part of a £27m investment in the Wellington area over the next three years.  Viability of the application had been challenging due to construction costs and it was asked that there be no affordable housing secured via a 106 on this application.  A Homes England Grant to bring the project forward was being applied for and this could not be granted if affordable housing was sought via the S106.  The development would fulfil 78% affordable housing via the Homes England Grant.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a brief overview of the application which met NDSS required space standards  Although there was slightly less outdoor space attached to the bungalows, space was provided for each of the bungalows in the form of a private outdoor space or a balcony as well as a communal garden.  Access was from Regent Street and King Street and there was an additional 21 bay car park to serve an existing community group in order to address local congestion and parking issues.  There was also an addition of a parking space for staff attending at the apartments.  An amended site plan has been agreed showing the additional staff parking space.  Concerns had been raised regarding the impact of the development on setting of the former listed girls’ school from the proximity of the retirement apartments and although it had not been possible to fully address these concerns it was considered that the benefits outweighed the harm and on balance could be accepted subject to conditions.  Following a viability appraisal the scheme was not viable for 25% affordable housing secured via the S106 and therefore Members were being asked to approve the scheme with 0% affordable housing to allow the applicant to access Homes England Grant Funding to deliver 78% affordable housing on site.  Contributions via the S106 would be sought towards healthy spaces and education and it was agreed by the applicant that these would be paid in full.

During the debate some Members asked for clarification on the use of the indoor sport facility and whether it would be used for community use and would this be manned by a paid member of staff.  Other Members asked for clarification in relation to the additional car park for community use.  Further clarification was sought on the Homes England Grant Funding and how this would be monitored.  Other Members asked if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 309