Agenda and minutes

In respect of planning application TWC/2021/0670, Councillor B Wennington advised that he was a member of Dawley Hamlets Parish Council but had not been involved in any discussions on this application.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meetings held on 26 January 2022 and 9 February 2022.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 26 January 2022 and 9 February 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

None.

None.

Please note that the order in which applications are heard may be changed at the meeting.  If Members have queries about any of the applications, they are requested to raise them with the relevant Planning Officer prior to the Committee meeting.

Members had received a schedule of planning applications to be determined by the Committee and fully considered each report and the supplementary information tabled at the meeting planning application TWC/2021/0670.

This was an application for the erection of 23no. dwellings with associated garages and access on the former Doseley Works (Phase 3C2), Doseley, Telford, Shropshire 

This application was before Committee for determination as it was a major application and required a S106 Agreement.

Councillor D Hopkins spoke against the application on behalf of Dawley Hamlets Parish Council and raised concerns regarding the negative impact of the quality of life both present and future residents, the access on St Lukes Road, highway safety and traffic impact, the condition of the roads and lack of footpaths and dropped kerbs, narrow dangerous road, below the minimum national space standards, parking and garage space and play facilities.  He asked Members to refuse the application.

As the Applicants were unable to attend at the meeting a statement was read out on their behalf and referenced that this was Phase 3C2 of the development for 23 dwellings of which were 6 affordable dwellings (25%) of different types and tenures and was the final parcel within the former Doseley Works development which secured approval in 2014.  The site measured 0.76ha and the layout complimented the masterplan based on Garden City principles with extensive landscaping and were of high standard in design and construction which would minimise the carbon footprint.  A S106 would ensure suitable contributions to support local infrastructure and asked Members to vote in favour of the application.

The Planning Officer informed Members that there had only been two public objections on the site which were on the principle of the development and access to the site overall which had been built out in earlier phases and no submissions had been received from either the Ward Member or the Parish Council since the application submission in June 2021.  The house types put forward were the same as those on the other phases of the development and the density matched the wider site and although some of the dwellings did not meet the NDSS specifications, it was a centrally located within an established area and on balance was not considered sufficient to warrant refusal of the scheme.  The principle of development was already deemed acceptable and the design considered appropriate.  In relation to the impact on the highway network, Highway Officers had considered that this application did not have a significant impact due to a minimal increase on vehicular trips during peak hours.  Highways contributions were sought towards highway improvements on St Lukes Road.  In response to the points raised by the Parish Council, the improvements to St Lukes Road a scheme of works would take place combined with further sites that had come forward for development and may include improvements such as traffic calming/restrictions and formalisation of on street parking and would be subject to a public consultation. A meeting had been arranged with this Parish Council for discussions to take place on the initial draft plans with public consultation to take place mid-summer.  Recreation contributions were not requested as there was already substantial open space  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC257

This application was for the Erection of 24 mixed use units across 8 buildings comprising 5,574sq metre floor area with accompanying amenities and provision for 26no. electric vehicle charging spaces on land adjacent Golden Bear Products Ltd, Hortonwood 40, Hortonwood, Telford, Shropshire.

Planning Committee were asked to determine the application as it required financial contributions via a Section 106 Agreement and Telford & Wrekin Council were the applicant.

The Planning Officer informed Members that a previous consent for two industrial buildings had expired in 2021.  The design was typical of the area but had enhanced features such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.  Highways, drainage and parking met the Local Plan Policy but there was an arboricultural and biodiversity net loss on the site although the Applicant had offered to provide further biodiversity on the adjacent site to try and compensate for this.  On balance the Council’s ecology specialist confirmed that although it was not ideal the S106 enhancements were acceptable.  The Tree Officer raised objections due to the loss of trees in relation to Policy NE2 of the Local Plan who felt the 180 year old trees were irreplaceable and maintained his objection to the application despite the Veteran Tree Assessment submitted.  This application is proposed on an allocated employment site and would provide starter units for small to medium businesses and on balance it was felt the application could be recommended for approval.

During the debate some Members felt that the Tree Officer had presented clear reasons why the trees needed retention as  they were very mature old veteran trees and that although a sum of £52,800 had been set aside it was impossible to replace a 180 year old tree.  There were alternative larger sites in Hortonwood for such a development.  It was felt that the application should be refused as it was in conflict with Policy NE2 and that the natural environment should be maintained. Other Members asked if changes could be made to the layout in order that the trees could be saved and welcomed the solar panels and electric charging points.  It was asked if a deferral took place could further negotiations take place with the applicant in relation to the layout to lessen the impact on the trees.  Other Members asked if transport in and out of the employment area could be conditioned and raised the green economy and access to roads and cycling areas.

The Planning Officer confirmed that there had been a lot of dialogue with both the Applicant and the Tree Officer and that trees needed to have certain characteristics to become veteran trees.  The Planning Officer advised that the trees in question were mature but not veteran, although Policy NE2 still refers to the retention of aged trees. The Applicant had already been asked to amend the layout of the application and advised it would not be possible, therefore it would not be amended if a deferral took place.  The Highways Engineer had asked for a contribution towards  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC258