Agenda and minutes

Planning Committee - Wednesday 26 January 2022 6.00 pm

Venue: Telford International Centre, International Way, Telford TF3 4JH

Contact: Jayne Clarke / Rhys Attwell  01952 383205 / 01952 382195

Media

Items
No. Item

PC233

Minute Silence for Councillor Jackie Loveridge

Minutes:

The Chair announced the sad passing of Councillor Jackie Loveridge who had been Vice-Chair of the Committee for many years.  It was asked that the Committee observed a minutes silence in her honour.

PC234

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

In respect of planning applications TWC/2021/0795 and TWC/2021/0796 Councillor P Scott advised that he was a member of Newport Town Council but had not been involved in any discussions on these applications.

PC235

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 266 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 15 December 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

PC236

Deferred/Withdrawn Applications

Minutes:

None.

PC237

Site Visits

Minutes:

None.

PC238

Planning Applications for Determination pdf icon PDF 104 KB

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.

Minutes:

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 regarding Planning Applications TWC/2020/1056 and TWC/2021/0684.

PC239

TWC/2016/0147 - Land North of Grove Road, Overdale, Telford, Shropshire pdf icon PDF 233 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This was for an outline application for a residential development with associated access and all other matters reserved on land North of Grove Road, Overdale, Telford, Shropshire.

 

This application was before Planning Committee as it involved a variation to S106 financial contributions.

 

The S106 Agreement approved 81 dwellings with contributions towards education, recreation and public rights of way but it had now proved unviable to build out the scheme and provide the contributions.  An independent viability assessment had taken place.  It was asked that the S106 be varied to give nomination rights to the Council for the proposed affordable dwellings being brought forward by the applicant.

 

Mr A Evans, Applicant, addressed Members that this was an application for 81 affordable homes on behalf of Accord Housing Association.  The outline planning consent was given in 2016 due to the sloping nature of the site which was next to the M54 it was a technically challenging site with significant retaining walls to the embankment and level changes.  The previous landowner had underestimated the abnormal costs and was unable to find a buyer until 2019 where a fix priced contract was approved supported by Homes England.  Upon carrying out a site investigation it was concluded that a further £1m would be required and this together with operation and labour constraints there was no scope to increase the build.  It was proposed that in return for a variation to the S106 contributions that nomination rights would be given to the Council which was a significant benefit which would outweigh the S106 contributions.

 

During the debate some Members felt that the Applicant had done all they could and this being the case could support the application.  Other Members asked if the cost of the S106 contributions had been considered against the increase in market values Other Members felt that 81 affordable houses with nomination rights was acceptable.

 

The Planning Officer explained that since the submission of the application costs had risen by up to £66,000.

 

Upon being put to the vote it was, by a majority:-

 

RESOLVED – that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to approve the Deed of Variation to the Section 106 Agreement subject to:

 

a)    the removal of all existing planning obligations

 

b)    the insertion of Nomination rights being granted to the Council as a priority to accommodate local needs.

 

PC240

TWC/2020/1056 Land North East of Stirchley Interchange, Nedge Hill, Telford, Shropshire pdf icon PDF 626 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This application was for the erection of up to 350 new dwellings (Use Class C3) with all matters reserved on land North East of Stirchley Interchange, Nedge Hill, Telford, Shropshire.

 

A deferral of this application had been agreed at Planning Committee on the 15th December 2021 to allow Officers to negotiate with the Applicant in respect of concerns relating to the impact on the local highway network, the impact on the existing riding centre and the lack of on-site facilities and the sites proximity to the existing local centre.  These concerns had been addressed in the report and the recommendation remained for approval.

 

Councillor N England, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application as he felt that previous concerns had not been addressed.  He was not satisfied with the roundabout and highway safety and the distances to the local facilities and he remained of the opinion that the development should be refused.

 

Miss L Cooper spoke on behalf of Mrs K Curtis, who was unable to attend the meeting, as a member of the public.  She raised concerns regarding the clarification of the ownership of the land, the 51 additional dwellings above the Local Plan allocation, the impact on the highway network, lack of communication, the impact on neighbouring properties, the ability of large farm machinery to use the highway, the access, lack of off-road parking and parking spaces.  There needed to be uninterrupted access to Nedge Farm and concerns were raised regarding the buffer zone, recreational grazing and the access to the riding centre for the benefit of the local community.

 

Mr D Stengel, the Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the application.  Further negotiations had taken place with Planning Officers to clarify the concerns raised by Members.  The agent confirmed that it was a residential site which was allocated within the Local Plan.  The stables did not form part of the application site boundary, although the fields that were used for grazing were.  The Lease on the fields with Homes England would end in 2023 and Telford and Wrekin Council had met with Nedge Farm to agree licence terms and the agent advised that they would not have to close the riding stables. There would be a buffer zone between the dwellings and the farm house.  Services or health care were not required on site and the highways impacts had been assessed against the transport model.  There would be S106 contributions towards education, highways, landscaping and 25% affordable housing, if Members were minded to approve the application.

 

The Area Team Manager addressed Members and advised that the expiry of the lease for the riding centre was a civil matter and was outside planning control.  The key point was that the land forming this application was allocated however land to the side of the farm house was leased from Homes England and the licence had been discussed with Nedge Farm and was awaiting signature.  The stopping up of the access was under a separate piece of legislation and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC240

PC241

TWC/2021/0795 Land West of Station Road, Newport, Shropshire pdf icon PDF 315 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This application was for the erection of 301no dwellings with associated access, open space, landscaping and drainage and ancillary infrastructure and ground remodelling on land West of Station Road, Newport, Shropshire

 

This application was before Committee as it required a financial contribution via a S106 Agreement.

 

The Planning Officer gave an overview of applications TWC/2021/0795 the residential application and TWC/2021/0796 the extra care facility which had been given consent in March 2021 and was on land east and west of Station Road. The land west of Station Road would be phase 1 of the application. The two outline applications had been brought before committee by Bloor Homes who owned the whole site and had re-addressed some of the site constraints.

 

Application TWC/2021/0795 was in relation to the 301no dwellings recommendation was for approval. With regard to the outstanding items such as the planting, woodland barrier along the A518 and the woodland maintenance contribution updated plans had now been submitted and discussions had taken place with the Tree Officers who were satisfied with a financial contribution being agreed in the sum of £25,000.

 

Councillor A Eade, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application. He acknowledged that the Applicants had accommodated suggestions but continued to raise concerns regarding the loss of a greenfield site, the major entrance to the town and the loss of the buffer, lack of Local Plan considerations, biodiversity in relation to Policy NE1 in relation to net gains and NE2 in relation to hedgerows, drainage and flood mitigation measures, lack of sustainable connectivity ie paths and cycleways. It was suggested that the £25,000 be used to eliminate the biodiversity loss and to supply extra screening to the area of Church Aston affected. It was also asked that although the neighbouring land may not be in Bloor Homes ownership that future planning applications being brought forward considered the issue of sustainable connectivity.

 

Councillor B Harper spoke against the application on behalf of Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote Parish Council praised the efforts made by the Applicant in respect of green space and sustainable solutions but raised concerns regarding the lack of priority for the most affected parish areas, highway safety, traffic impact and traffic survey, parking provision was less than the required standard, Pave Lane being used as a short cut and it was asked that traffic calming be provided to mitigate the hazards.

 

Mr P Degg, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application which was a carefully planned scheme and recommended for approval subject to conditions. There was a wealth of ecology and arboricultural/landscaping enhancements along the Hutchison Way which was great for local residents. An extra care facility was also proposed later on the agenda which contained a comprehensive S106 package of over £3m towards education, highways and infrastructure. There was an emphasis and commitment to the community which was a priority on all of Bloor Homes sites and they were keen to support community initiatives. The Application proposed to deliver 301 high quality new homes  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC241

PC242

TWC/2021/0796 Land West of Station Road, Newport, Shropshire pdf icon PDF 272 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This application was for an erection of an extra care facility containing 70no. affordable self-contained apartments (Use Class C2) and associated communal and public facilities with associated access, car parking and landscaping on land west of Station Road, Newport, Shropshire

 

The application was before Planning Committee due to a S106 financial contribution.

 

Councillor A Eade, Ward Councillor, confirmed that he had raised all of his concerns from application TWC/2021/0795 and had nothing further to raise.

 

Councillor B Harper spoke on behalf of the Parish Council who raised concerns regarding parking spaces, particularly when there was a change-over of staff.

 

Mr S Thompson, Wrekin Housing Group, spoke in favour of the application which was an Extra Care site for older people.  There would be a £13m investment from Wrekin Housing Group including £4.2m which had already been secured from Homes England.  If approval was granted they were engaging with Bloor Homes and their partners to get on site.  The design was of a good standard for the benefit of the customers and went beyond the required building regulations and fitted the needs of the community.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed that the parking for the apartments was one space per two apartments, there were seven staff parking spaces and there would be 10 full time staff on a shift basis with one space per two staff.

 

During the debate some Members raised concerns on the impact on the visual gateway into Newport and asked if the development could be made “easier on the eye” by amending the size and scale.  The community involvement was welcomed.  Other Members asked if the Parish Council should be more involved and that all people affected be consulted and raised concerns regarding insufficient parking spaces and cars parking on the road.  Further concerns raised were regarding construction traffic during the development of the two sites and the speed of traffic.  It was asked if an overspill car park could be placed within the nearby development and if the 30mph along Station Road could be expended to the sheep island.

 

The Planning Officer explained that the application had been assessed on planning balance and that it fit into the corner of the site between the Hutchison Way and Station Road to avoid disturbing the Public Right of Way. The height had been reduced to three storeys on two wings to reduce the visual impact.  With regard to parking there was one space for two apartments which was complied with the Local Plan and potentially there would be five or six members of staff at any one time and there were seven spaces for staff.  The residential development would be undertaken on a phased basis, however a construction and environmental management plan would be required via planning condition.

 

The Area Team Planning Manager confirmed that parking standards formed part of the local plan, which were evidence based, and the recommendation to committee had been made on that basis.  Comments had been taken on board with regard to additional visitors  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC242

PC243

TWC/2021/1051 41 & 42 Attwood Terrace, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 2HH pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This application was for a change of use from 2no. dwellings (use class C3) into 1no. residential institution (use class C2) including the erection of a single storey rear extension at 41 & 42 Attwood Terrace, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 2HH.

 

This application was before Committee at the request of Councillor A Burford.

 

The Planning Officer informed Member that the application was to accommodate up to four children between the ages of eight and eighteen who needed a period of care and would be staffed on a one to one basis 24 hours a day with a manager on site during the day.  It was proposed that there be a single storey rear extension and alterations to the front garden in order to offer additional off-street parking and that any consent would subject to conditions.

 

Councillor A Burford, Ward Councillor, spoke on behalf of local residents who raised concerns regarding potential noise and disturbance, increased traffic flow in a quiet residential street, staff numbers and visitors to the property and staff meetings.  It was asked that the applicants consider the strength of feeling of local residents and consider building bridges with local people if approved and that supervision and tight monitoring of the property be sustained.

 

Ms M Hunt, a member of the public, spoke in her capacity as a resident and not as a Parish Councillor and raised concerns regarding the parking and highway impact, safety requirements such as fire safety, referrals by social services and if this would be limited to Telford and Wrekin Council or would include other Local Authorities.  It was felt that more information was required in relation to the company running the facility and its credentials, numbers of staff, particularly overnight, the access to the manager, the company HQ and the removal of two houses from a residential street.

 

The Area Team Planning Manager informed Members that the development would be subject to building regulations in respect of fire safety standards and that being a residential care home the regulations were higher with the installation of fire doors and fire alarms.  The Fire Authority were consulted on the application and have commented.  Residents would be refereed by Telford & Wrekin Social Services only.  Planning Permission went with the land rather than the company and it was outside of the planning remit to comment on the company, its head office or staff.  This was specialist housing and was under Policy HO7 of the Local Plan and there was a shortage of this type of housing facility.  There was no negative impact on local amenity and eight off-road parking spaces were being provided.

 

During the debate some Members felt that there was no reason to object to the application. Other Members felt that there could be issues with parking which would block the bus route and interference with the amenity of local residents, noise and disturbance and visits from services such as the Police to deal with incidents.  It was asked if there was anything the Local Authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC243