Agenda item

This was an application for Site J (East & South of Westminster Way), Gatcombe Way, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire. Erection of 94 dwelling houses, with associated garages, parking, landscaping and infrastructure.

Cllr. Veronica Fletcher requested that this application be determined by members of planning committee, and the application was before Planning Committee as it was subject to a S106 legal agreement to secure affordable housing and financial contributions towards education, play and open space and highways.

Cllr. Veronica Fletcher, Ward Councillor, provided a statement which spoke against this application. She raised concerns regarding the impact on highways, parking issues, loss of green space, the impact on the local doctor’s surgery with patient increase, impact on schools, noise and air pollution. Cllr. Fletcher bought to member’s attention that the children’s recreation facilities closest to the proposed site would not receive the funding from the s106 agreement and that the funds were going towards a recreation facility the other side of Priorslee. This would deny the local children moving to the proposed development these facilities.

Ms Katie Parsons, Agent, spoke in favour of the application. She explained that the application would create 94 new homes that had been designed with officers and amendments were made to address officers concerns. She noted there would be ample parking for cars and cycles for each home, a new bus stop for sustainable travel and improved surface water draining. Financial contributions would be made to local recreation facilities along with a traffic regulation order if needed.

The Planning Officer informed members of the financial contributions to be sought. He noted that the application would provide a good mix of housing, a new play area in addition to improvements on the existing play area, local school funding and a cycle provision plan. He explained to members that a provisional Traffic Regulation Order was in place and double yellow lines would be used if needed.

The Planning Officer informed members that the updated report clarified the governments Nationally Described Space Standards policy in relation to the application, and noted that the development could not  be built to this standard as it would render the scheme unviable.

During the debate, members raised some concerns regarding drainage, space standards on all properties and S106 contributions and parking standards.

Members were in agreement that the contributions to be made towards play areas should be spent on the area opposite the proposed site, as the existing site was too far of a walk for the potential residents to make use of.

One member advised that if the development proposed the use of grass verges, these should be paved to avoid being churned up should vehicles park on them.

Members questioned the education contribution and noted that the secondary education contribution was half the amount of the primary education.

The Development Management Service Delivery Manager clarified the education contribution to members and explained it was set out in a Council adopted strategy.

The Planning Officer assured members that each property had provision for 2 parking space which complied with parking standards.

Upon being put to vote, it was unanimously;

RESOLVED – that in respect of planning application TWC/2019/0724 that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant planning permission subject to:

 A) That the application receives support, subject to Condition(s) from the Council’s Drainage Officers.

B) The following contributions to be agreed through a S.106 Agreement:

1.         Highways:

Strategic Highway Network Contribution of £79,621.29 (index linked)

Traffic Regulation Order Contribution of £5,000 (index linked) if, within 5 years of practical completion of the Development, it becomes necessary to prohibit on-street parking on Gatcombe Way.

2. Education:

The Secondary Education Contribution of £107,050 (index linked) to be used within 3miles of the development.

The Primary Education Contribution of £284,547 (index linked) to be used within 2 miles of the development

3. Recreation:

£42,500 (index linked) as a contribution towards the provision or improvement of recreational facilities in the vicinity of the development site

4. Affordable Housing:

To provide within the Development that 25% of all Dwellings constructed shall be the Affordable Housing Units

C) The conditions and informatives (with authority to finalise conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to Development Management Service Delivery Manager) set out in the report and update report