Agenda item

TWC/2019/0487 - Land west of Lawford Close, Off Majestic Way, Aqueduct, Telford, Shropshire

Minutes:

This application was an outline application for the erection of up to 39 dwellings and access from Majestic Way with all other matters reserved.

 

This application was before Committee as the Council were the applicant and the application was subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

 

An update report was tabled at the meeting which gave details of 22 further objections which had been received since the report was published.

 

Councillor B Wennington spoke against the application on behalf of Dawley Hamlets Parish Council who raised concerns regarding the loss of a large green space within the Parish and the effect on the wildlife and the local LNR, highway safety, speed of traffic, increased traffic, bus route, parking especially around school times which was already difficult and the lack of footpath.  Further concerns were raised with the medical centre in Aqueduct marked for closure and the increase in journeys with people travelling to the medical centre by car.

 

Mrs K Barnes, a member of the public, spoke on behalf of local residents who raised concerns with regard to road safety, congestion, speed of traffic, visability, insufficient parking for the 2 nearby schools, effect on the local amenity, stretched services due to the closure of the nearby Health Centre, impact on nature and the loss of green space.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed to members that this site had been identified on the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan for up to 40 dwellings and that the principle of development had already been established.  The concerns which had been raised within the update report had been considered and a balancing exercise taken place.

 

During the debate some Members raised concerns regarding increased traffic, potential risk of flooding from the reservoir, loss of trees, inadequate drainage, impact on wildlife, the replacement wall which would need to be 10ft high, unsuitability of the site, insufficient parking and it was asked if a speed reduction scheme could be introduced and asked if there could be a deferral or refusal for this to be looked at.  Other Members felt that the principle of development had already been established so it was difficult to refuse and that the S106 contributions and the 25% affordable housing were welcomed, but asked if the application could be deferred for a site visit.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed to Members that there were areas of the site that were restricted for the building of houses due to the flooding risk.  The application was only outline at this stage and the layout was indicative and only gave a rough guide as to layout as this would be dealt with at the reserved matters stage.  The Planning Officer confirmed that the reserved matters application would be brought back before Committee.

 

The Highways Officer informed Members that the council’s traffic management team are looking at a wider scheme of traffic calming along Majestic Way. This development was seen as a means of kick starting a scheme by the implementation of speed control tables in the vicinity of the site. The works are to be secured under a S278 off-site highway works condition and delivered at the expense of the applicant

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

 

RESOLVED – that in respect of Planning Application TWC/2019/0487 delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant outline planning permission subject to the following:

 

a)    the landowner entering into a Section 106 agreement with the Local Planning Authority (subject to indexation from the date of committee with terms to be agreed by the Development Management Service Delivery Manager) relating to:

           

i)               Total Education contribution of £165,311 towards improvements to a local primary and secondary school

 

ii)             Recreation contribution of up to £23,400 based on £600 per 2 bed (or more) Property

 

iii)            Ecology contribution of £52,900 towards Dawley Pools and Pit Mounds Local Nature Reserve, comprising of:

                      - £18,000 towards 400 metres of all ability footpath

                      -£1,800 towards installation of information boards and   

                                bins

                      - £14,000 towards restoration of 3 ponds

                      - £1,100 towards installation of amphibian and reptile

                                hibernacula

                      - £18,000 towards 25 year programme of maintenance

 

         iv)           Affordable Housing to be provided at 25%

 

b)    the conditions contained within the report and the update report (with authority to finalise conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to Development Management Service Delivery Manager).

Supporting documents: