Issue - meetings

This was an application for the erection of 40no. affordable dwellings with associated parking and amenity space on the site of the former The Wrekin Endeavour Centre, North Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire.

Councillor P Davis, Ward Member, had requested that the application be determined by the Planning Committee.

A site visits had taken place on the afternoon prior to the meeting.

The Planning Officer informed Members that the application was subject to a Section 106 agreement comprising contributions to health, education, sport, play and recreation.  A contribution was requested by Highways towards the implementation of parking restrictions and a monitoring contribution and measures to ensure the delivery of building regulations part M42 and M43 units.   In relation to the amendment to the house types which resulted in more one bed units, the contribution to mitigate the impact on education would be amended to £177,767. This comprised a split between primary of £132,000 and secondary £45,000 (figures rounded up).

Councillor P Davies, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application and on behalf of the residents who did not oppose the housing but considered that this application represented clear overdevelopment on a constrained and sensitive site due to its density.  He raised concerns regarding highway safety, school traffic, blocked driveways and dispersed parking which had resulted in the need to increase enforcement and implement double yellow lines.  It was felt that the application was not modest or in keeping with the local vicinity and this was exacerbated due to the layout, the three-storey element and residential properties being overlooked at close range.   Concerns were raised in relation to privacy, safeguarding, noise and disturbance and the overall suitability of such a dense housing development immediately next to an educational facility.  There were three further essential safeguards that he considered must be secured if the application were to be approved which were displaced parking, the S106 agreement must bring forward meaningful road design and real improvements to protect children and residents.  Part of the site was set within the green network and permanent useable access to greenspace from North Road to Crescent Road playing fields was required.  It was requested that there was a 20% uplift in biodiversity net gain.   If approved, the application must be done so with strong enforceable conditions to address the residents’ concerns.

Mr T Wragg, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application and informed Members that a site visit had taken place and that the development would provide 40 homes on a brownfield derelict site.  There would be a mix of homes including some wheelchair accessible and adaptable units which would be well insulated, warm and low carbon in nature lowering fuel bills and working to combat fuel poverty.  Access would be provided through to the Crescent Road playing fields which was considered an important aspect of the application.  With regard to traffic and parking issues this had been addressed through the planning application.  As the development was for social rented homes, statistics showed that only around 40% of households  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74