Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Gottschalk, the meeting was chaired by Councillor Lyons.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made by Members.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (MH) presented the application for the construction of 82 dwellings, access, estate roads, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

He set out the key issues including principle of residential development, housing delivery including affordable housing, traffic and heritage matters and advised of the receipt of further representations largely covering traffic matters. There had been a significant amount of both support and opposition to the proposal and, responding to a Member, he confirmed that the development would not experience problems of stray golf balls as adequate landscape would be provided and because of the safe direction of play of the adjacent area of the range.

Councillor Leadbetter attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order No. 44. He made the following points:-

·         support principle of housing development as established in the Newcourt Masterplan including the provision of the off road cycle/pedestrian path as part of the wider strategic cycle network;

·         wish to express the concerns of many residents in Holland Park Phases I and II that the development will result in dangerous road conditions in both areas and, particularly, on Old Rydon Lane itself. Consequently, support the call for alternative accesses to serve the development especially from Admiral Way; and

·         further examination of road design is necessary to reduce the rat run potential and for further consideration to be given to the planning of the highway network in the area.  

Mrs Mitchell spoke against the application. She raised the following points:-

·         object to use of Old Rydon Lane as the only road providing access to Holland Park Phase III, when another route exists;

·         not opposed to the building of homes or future development of the Golf Club but to safety issues and non-compliance with the Newcourt Masterplan;

·         the application has Old Rydon Lane as the only entrance to at least 169 homes, St Bridget’s Nursery and the offices at Newcourt House. It is an old Devon lane unsuitable for the increasing amounts of traffic;

·         parts of the Lane are not wide enough for vehicles to pass each other safely with blind spots, high grass banks, walls and overgrown vegetation. There is no cycle path or pavement and vehicles often travel too fast making it unsafe and dangerous. It has poor site lines from driveways and Phases I and II make exiting difficult;

·         the only access to this area from the A379 is from Old Rydon Lane and there is a fear that, during severe traffic congestion in the area or an incident blocking the Lane, emergency vehicles would be delayed in responding to calls;

·         having the only access to Phase III via Old Rydon Lane runs counter to the intention of the Newcourt Masterplan which states that “Old Rydon Lane will be managed with the aim of avoiding additional traffic using this route to access the Masterplan area”. Contrary to the transport statement, traffic on Old Rydon Lane will increase by between 23% and 48%;

·         access to Phase III from Admiral Way would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Assistant City Development Manager the application for the conversion of former mortuary building to provide a one bed dwelling house.

Mr Atkins spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

·         discussions held with planning officers since July 2016 but with differing advice provided;

·         the site would have no logical alternative. An office development would generate visits by staff and clients;

·         no significant alterations proposed other than changes to window size and removal of steps at front of building for ground floor of the building to align with external ground;

·         will enhance character of area through bringing into use a derelict building;

·         internal size will be just one square metre under the minimum standard of 39 square metres and the interior design will be flexible;

·         external area is larger than some of neighbouring gardens and the property will be some 150 metres from public gardens opposite Royal Crescent; and

·         the County Council have no objections, including impact on parking.

Responding to Members, he stated that the land had been purchased two years ago from the management company who maintained the grounds of the whole site. He stated that there were other examples of land creatively used for habitable purposes and that internal timber dry lining would be used to insulate the single shin brickwork.

The recommendation was for refusal for the reasons set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        planning permission for the conversion of former mortuary building to provide a one bed dwelling house be REFUSED. as the proposal is contrary to Objectives 3 and 8 and Policies CP15 and CP17 of the Exeter Local Development Framework Core Strategy, Policies C2, DG1 (c, e and h) and DG4 (b and d) of the Exeter Local Plan First Review 1995-2011 and Chapters 4, 6, 7 and 9 of the 'Residential Design SPD' by virtue of:-

(2)        Listed Building Consent for the conversion of former mortuary building to provide a one bed dwelling house be REFUSED as the proposal is contrary to Objective 8 and Policy CP17 of the Exeter Local Development Framework Core Strategy, and Policy C2 of the Exeter Local Plan First Review 1995-2011 because, by virtue of the internal and external alterations ascribed to residential conversion the proposal would not conserve or enhance the character and appearance of a listed building.

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 11 July 2017 at

9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Lyons, Denham and Edwards.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party be held on Tuesday 11 July at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Lyons, Denham and Edwards.