Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2019 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct.

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The Assistant Service Lead City Development presented the application for outline planning permission for development of site to provide seven residential units (three open market and four self-build plots) with access from Newcourt Road (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale all reserved for subsequent approval). He reported further objections from the Topsham Society referring to a recent application for 23 dwellings on an adjoining piece of land to which it also objected asking for consideration of development issues in the wider area.

Ms Baddeley spoke in support of the application. She raised the following points:-

·         scheme could deliver housing in a sustainable location without significant impacts. The site is located adjacent to the built-up area boundary of Topsham, in a sustainable location with good connections to its physical, social and community and green infrastructure; 

·         development of the site will not harmfully impact on the setting of either Topsham or Exeter and there are no technical reasons, including from highways perspectives, to withhold permission;

·         contributes to the Council’s five year housing land supply;

·         the conclusions reached by the Inspector in the appeal decision in relation to land at Clyst Road are of key importance in determining the application;

·         tenure is in line with existing and emerging policy as, in addition to four of the houses being self-build, only three would be open market;

·         significant financial benefits to the Council as the application will trigger a significant monetary injection to deliver affordable housing in the City; and

·         request the grant of planning permission, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Members expressed some concerns regarding traffic generation and were advised that the Highway Authority did not object as there would be minimal extra traffic from seven dwellings and that a condition requiring a footpath fronting Newcourt Road would be provided which would be replicated should the land to the north be developed. Reference was made to the continuing pressure on the ‘Topsham Gap’ and it was noted that the report concluded that the site did not make a significant contribution to the visual amenity of the urban fringe and that the development of this small site would not in itself lead to any material coalescence between Topsham and Exeter.

The recommendation was for approval, subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

The Service Lead City Development agreed to consult with the Chair of this Committee in respect of any subsequent reserved matters applications received for this development.

RESOLVED that, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Panning Act 1990 to secure an affordable housing financial contribution, planning permission for seven residential units (three open market and four self-build plots) with access from Newcourt Road (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale all reserved for subsequent approval) be APPROVED, subject also to the following conditions:-

1.    Application for the approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of three years from the date of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The report of the Service Lead City Development was submitted.

A Member asked for further information on the delegated decision in respect of Application No 17/1962/OUT – Tesco Stores Ltd, Russell Way, Exeter and was advised that a meeting between the Service Lead City Development and the Director was to be held on 25 June to discuss issues that had arisen on this application. A letter on the outcome would be circulated to the Councillors and Members of this Committee.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support.

The report of the Corporate Manager Democratic & Civic Support was submitted.

RESOLVED that the circulated rota of site inspection be approved, subject to any changes during the course of the year.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 16 July 2019 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Branston and Foale.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 16 July at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Branston and Foale.