Issue - meetings

This was a hybrid planning application presented in two parts; Part A, a full planning application and Part B, an outline application with all matters reserved. The site would provide a mix of residential and commercial developments, open space, and parking. The existing Lawn Central footbridge would also be removed and replaced by street-level crossing. Public representation on the application had been limited. The Parish Council had asked for involvement in the process and a stakeholder liaison group was proposed. The application was subject to a National Highways holding objection.

During the debate, Members discussed a number of issues around traffic and parking. Some Members wished to seedifferent designs for the scheme in  addition to those in the illustrative mock-ups in the report. Some Members expressed concern at the removal of the footbridge at Lawn Central.

In response to concerns over the removal of the footbridge, the Principal Planning Officer informed the Committee that the removal was part of wider public realm improvement and landscaping and would represent an improvement on existing accessibility. In terms of traffic, it was stated that the local highways authority had no objections to the scheme as long as a travel plan was in place.

On being put to the vote, it was, by majority:

RESOLVED – Delegated Authority be granted to the Service Delivery Manager to GRANT FULL PLANNING PERMISSION FOR PART (A) AND GRANT OUTLINE PLANNING PERMISSION FOR PART (B) (with the authority to finalise any matter including Condition(s), legal agreement terms, or any later variations) subject to:

a) The removal of National Highways holding objection;

b) The applicants entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to secure financial contributions; and

c) Conditions and informatives

This application was a deed of variation to a s106 agreement, relating to the development of 36 dwellings, to remove a proportion of planning obligations to provide off-site financial contributions and to reduce the amount of affordable housing provided as part of the development.

Mr N Laight, the applicant, spoke in favour of the application stating that unexpected changes in market conditions since the purchase of the site had made the development unviable with the financial contributions and affordable housing requirements previously agreed.

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously:

RESOLVED – that Delegated Authority be granted to the Service Delivery Manager to APPROVE THE DEED OF VARIATION TO THE S106 AGREEMENT subject to:

A)           The removal of a proportion of the existing planning obligations from the original agreed sum of £196,248.00 to £23,270.55 (including indexation) only.

B)           The reduction of the affordable housing provision being provided, from 9 units (25%) to 7 units (20%).