Issue - meetings

 The application was for the erection of 166no. dwellings (Class C3), means of vehicular access off the A518, open space, landscaping, play area, footpaths, drainage and all other ancillary and enabling works on land south of, The Dale/The Crescent, Church Aston, Newport, Shropshire.   An update report was tabled which set out details in relation to a typographical error in relation to the Parish Council, additional comments from Councillor Eade regarding a formal pedestrian connection across the A518, additional objections received and an additional representation from Severn Trent Water.

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

Councillor A Eade, Ward Member, together with the Church Aston Parish Council, had requested that the application be determined by the Planning Committee.

Councillor A Eade, Ward Member, spoke against the application and raised concerns regarding site not being within the urban boundary of the Local Plan, the number of objections to the application, the impact on Church Aston and the need to protect its identity.   If Members were minded to approve the application, it was asked that consideration be given to making the route as safe as possible for pedestrians and detailed the crossing at the Clock Tower in Donnington as a precedent along the A518 and whether S106 monies could be used to provide this which would also enhance health and wellbeing, social mixing, and cohesion.

G Johnson, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the applications which had been included on the emerging Local Plan under Policy HO3.  The Planning Inspector had not raised any issues in regard to the application and this had given significant weight, together with the affordable, social, shared and private housing within the development.  It met national space standards and all SPD requirements in relation to M42 and M43 standards with a net density of 28.4 per hectare.  There were no objections from any statutory consultees, Highways Officers or the Ecology Officer who had no objection to the 10% biodiversity net gain.  A central open space and play area would be retained as well as cycleways and paths.  The s106 agreement would fund the existing NEEP, the Public Right of Way, health and infrastructure.  

The Planning Officer informed Members that the site sat outside of the current settlement within the current adopted Local Plan but that the site had been allocated within the emerging Local Plan and a thorough examination by the Planning Inspector was at a very advanced stage and no changes had been requested.  The principle of development was acceptable.  In accordance with both the adopted and emerging Local Plan 35% affordable housing in a mix of two to five bedroom properties and seven bungalows had been put forward.  Most of the protected trees, located in the central area of public open space, would remain with a small areas of trees to the north west being removed to facilitate the roundabout.  The design, type and materials had been set out in a design code statement to reflect the character  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9