Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2019 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct.

Councillor Williams declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of Minute No 5.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (MD) presented the application for a mixed use development to provide town centre facilities comprising uses within some or all of Class A1 (Retail), Class A2 (Financial and Professional Services), Class A3 (Cafes and Restaurants) with associated Drive-Thru's, Class A5 (Hot Food Takeaways), Class D2 (Assembly and Leisure) with associated means of access, access roads, service yards, car parking, infrastructure, public realm and landscaping. (All matters reserved except access).

The Principal Project Manager (Development) reported the following late representations:-

·         Network Rail had withdrawn its holding objection and listed issues asking for consideration to be given to additional conditions. It was suggested that consideration of these should be delegated to the Service Lead City Development, subject to prior consultation with the Chair;

·         representation from Crown Estates;

·         a letter from the asset manager for the owners of Princesshay suggesting alterations to some conditions. In light of the report of the Council’s retail consultant, these suggestions were not considered necessary; and

·         a letter objecting on the grounds that an out of town centre would take away business from existing town centres.

The Principal Project Manager (Development):-

·         described the scheme in detail setting out the changes from the previous proposals notably the wider mix of uses and explaining the background in the context of the Core Strategy adopted in 2012, the Monkerton/Hill Barton Master Plan and National Design Guidance 2019;

·         explained that the scheme offered significant economic and social benefits to the area given the proximity of the adjacent business area and a new residential community, the absence of a local centre having being delivered to date in the area and that elements of the scheme included those which would be a found in a local centre and a gap in the provision of a mixed use hub along the Heavitree Road corridor;

·         referred to letters of support from Exeter Science Park Ltd. and SW Comms; and

·         advised that the application was the most suitable out of the three out-of-centre sites considered for major retail development in July 2019.

Martin Ridgway spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

·         the floor area has been reduced and the range of uses improved to include a chemist, foodstore, gym, bank, restaurants and a newsagent with the design potentially setting a new benchmark for centres to promote sustainable access for locals residents, workers and visitors;

·         the site is close to two of Exeter’s largest employers, the Met Office and Devon & Cornwall Police, who between them employ nearly 3,500 staff but whose facilities are limited;

·         it will minimise adverse air quality, deliver a truly “eco-friendly” development and ensure good accessibility;

·         it will meet the needs of the existing and growing number of residents along with the wider business community and growth in East Exeter shows a requirement for a new services hub;

·         the scheme connects into the District Heating Network;

·         a CIL payment in excess of £1.9 million scheduled which can be used towards further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The Chair reported the deferral of this item to the next meeting of this Committee on 13 January 2020.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

Councillor Williams declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Assistant Service Lead City Development presented the application for the change of use of ancillary residential accommodation outbuilding to new separate dwelling house.

Dr Judith Proud spoke against the application. She raised the following points:-

·         representing residents living within the Taddyforde Estate Conservation Area;

·         the building is inappropriate as it represents new build within the Estate which is already developed to capacity and the proposal is short on space internally and externally and not compliant with the Council’s adopted space standards, both internally and external;

·         legitimate planning process has not been followed as the intention was always to build a separate dwelling. Residents are concerned about the scale of the building compared with the small single garage and Hickling Cottage itself, the amenities of the building and the lack of windows overlooking the Cottage;

·         the applicant has been resident in the building a fact which is being used, inappropriately to support the application; and

·         the description of the proposal as ancillary residential accommodation outbuilding is misleading.

In response to a Member, she advised that there had been 13 objections to the proposal to use as a separate residence.

Gill Baker spoke in support of the application. She raised the following points:-

·         the building already exists and is not a new build, it does not impact on the Conservation Area and previous applications are not relevant;

·         proposal does not set a precedent for any future garden developments;

·         proposal meets City Council criteria and no policy reasons for not allowing the development;

·         provides a better mix of development in Taddyforde and allows the applicant to remain in this area as well as freeing up a large family home currently uninhabited to re-enter the market; and

·         amenities conform to general standard of one bedroom properties.

She responded as follows to Members’ queries:-

·         a planning statement was produced which follows the Council’s checklist;

·         the internal measurement of 56 square metres accords with that for a one bedroom property even though this is a two storey building; and

·         the application meets the standards for outside amenity space of 55/56 square metres. The garden also benefits from being north facing.

The Assistant Service Lead City Development advised that:-

·         there had been two previous applications for an annexe and that this was the first application for a detached dwelling;

·         the application met the nationally set space standards for a two storey dwelling; and

·         although the external space did not quite meet the Council’s guideline, the quality was of a high standard with adequate garden size for this type of dwelling and was an appropriate level of amenity.

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

The recommendation was moved and seconded.

RESOLVED that planning permission for the change of use of ancillary residential accommodation outbuilding to new separate dwelling house be AGREED, subject to the following conditions:-

1)         The development to which this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The report of the Service Lead City Development was submitted.

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 advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 28 January 2019 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Mitchell, Morse and one other volunteer.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 28 January 2020 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Councillors Mitchell, Morse and Williams.