Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

73.

Chair

Minutes:

Councillor Ruth Williams, the Deputy Chair, chaired the meeting.

 

74.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 423 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 17 September 2020.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 17 September 2020 were taken as read and approved as correct, for signing by the Chair at the earliest possible convenience.

 

 

75.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item. Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

 

 

76.

Planning Application No. 20/0321/FUL - Land at Broom Park Nurseries and Five Acres, Exeter Road, Topsham pdf icon PDF 522 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Service Lead City Development.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (MH) presented the application for the demolition of existing buildings and proposed residential development of 64 no. residential units, including affordable housing, plus open space, landscaping, car parking, cycle spaces, drainage, vehicular access, internal roads, provision of link road and all associated infrastructure and development.

 

The Principal Project Manager (Development) referred to the key issues of affordable housing, scale, design and impact on character and appearance, sustainable construction, economic benefits, flood risk, impact on local highways and parking, heritage assets, trees and biodiversity and CIL and Section 106 contributions. He highlighted:-

 

·         the development was CIL liable and a Section 106 Agreement would be required to secure the affordable housing provision, open space including provision of equipped play area details, access and maintenance and a financial contribution towards enhanced GP facilities;

·         the Education Authority had highlighted the additional demand for early years, primary and secondary places arising from the development;

·         absence of a five year land supply;

·         paragraph 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) setting out that permission should be granted for sustainable development unless specific policies in the NPPF indicate otherwise;

·         proposal not considered to be of any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity;

·         highway related Section 106 contributions as set out in the formal consultation response; and

·         the development was considered acceptable in terms of its design/amenity and transportation impacts, and sustainable in terms of its location.

 

The Principal Project Manager (Development) reported the receipt of two further letters of objection. One was from the Golf Club referring to the changing circumstances along the boundary in respect of an existing dwelling and bed and breakfast facility and stating that the reference to the siting of the golf driving range was not of relevance in relation to golf balls leaving. The other was the letter from the Topsham Society already circulated to Committee Members and which the Principal project Manager summarised.

 

He responded as follows to Members’ queries:-

 

·         notwithstanding the reference in correspondence from the Topsham Society to provide 100% affordable housing, if development was to be supported, Council policy was for 35% provision where possible;

·         the two parcels of open space provision fronting Exeter Road would have appropriate boundary treatment to provide a greater impression of greenage along the frontage, complimenting that of the neighbouring development;

·         20 out of the 61 homes would be affordable and slightly under the policy complaint level in order to achieve the open space referred to above;

·         staggered barriers would be provided within the cycleway/footway;

·         two affordable flat units would be wheelchair accessible, that is 5%, although wheelchair accessible provision was not normally a requirement for non-affordable homes;

·         further detail on the number of electric charging points would be obtained; and

·         open market provision was predominantly three and four bed properties.

 

Councillor Leadbetter, having given notice under Standing Order No. 44, spoke on the item. He raised the following points:-

 

·         speaking on behalf of the Topsham Society which has a remit to preserve the character of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

77.

Planning Application No. 19/1465/OUT - Land adjoining Exeter Road, Topsham, Exeter pdf icon PDF 487 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Service Lead City Development.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (MH) presented the application for

Outline planning application for the construction of up to 24 dwellings (Use Class C3) - Means of access to be determined only (All other matters reserved).

 

The Principal Project Manager (Development) referred to the key issues of design, layout and amenity standards, affordable housing, sustainable drainage and ecology construction, heritage, economic benefits, CIL/Section 106 contributions, transportation matters, access and impact on local highways. He highlighted the following:-

 

·         absence of a five year land supply;

·         Paragraph 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that permission should be granted for sustainable development unless specific policies in the NPPF indicate otherwise;

·         the location is considered to be sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact;

·         the proposal is not considered to be of any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity;

·         there are no material considerations which it is considered would warrant refusal of this application; and

·         the letter from the Topsham Society in respect of the Broom Park application (Min. No. 75 above refers) also referenced this Topsham Road application.

 

Will Gannon in his presentation to the Broom Park application (Min. No. 75 above) had stated that there was no reference in the report to the Club’s objection and to its request for a condition putting the onus on the developer to mitigate the effects of the housing development on the golf course. The Principal Project Manager (Development) advised that the comments from the Golf Club were listed in the representations received relating to the proximity to the golf driving range and potential implications to residents.

 

The Principal Project Manager (Development) responded as follows to Members’ queries:-

 

·         notwithstanding an earlier suggested that the developer might not contribute to both education requirements and its affordable housing offer, the Section 106 Agreement would cover policy requirement provision of affordable housing of 35% and the required 70/30 split between social rent and other forms of intermediate social housing as well as the education contribution;

·         the recommendations therefore included the option to refuse permission if affordable housing and education was not provided; and

·         wheelchair provision would be secured within the standard conditions of the Section 106 Agreement.

 

Members expressed the following views:-

 

·         educational requirements should not be at the expense of affordable housing which is the requirement of this Council; and

·         difficult to oppose on grounds of the Topsham Gap issue following a number of appeal decisions and to make the same arguments. The application offers affordable housing, education provision and a contribution to a GP surgery and is an acceptable proposal.

 

 

The recommendation was for approval, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement and the conditions as set out in the report.

 

The recommendation was moved and seconded and carried.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)  subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure:-

 

·         affordable housing;

·         open space provision, maintenance and public access in perpetuity;

·         education contributions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

78.

Planning Application No. 18/1625/FUL - Land to the north of Arran Gardens, Hollow Lane and Higher Furlong, Monkerton, Exeter pdf icon PDF 586 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Service Lead City Development.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (DC) presented the application for the construction of 44 dwellings; car parking including garages; landscaping; internal access roads and associated infrastructure and engineering works.

 

The Principal Project Manager (Development) set out a detailed description of the site area, the development plan status of the site and surrounding land and planning context of the site in relation to surrounding sites. The Principal Project Manager (Development) set out the proposal and referred to the key issues of affordable housing, scale, design and open space, impact on character and appearance, sustainable construction, economic benefits, Section 106 heads of terms, contribution towards education, flood risk and impact on local highways and parking, heritage assets and trees and biodiversity and highlighted:-

 

·         the site is allocated for residential development in the Core Strategy;

·         the application site is in a sustainable location for residential development;

·         a positive contribution to the Council’s five year housing land supply with a provision of 35% affordable housing (15 on-site affordable dwellings);

·         good permeability for pedestrians and cyclists, with a link through the site to Hollow Lane, enhancing walking and cycling opportunities and reducing potential conflict with vehicular traffic;

·         £65,000 contribution for off-site access/recreation improvements;

·         contribution to enhance GP facilities in the locality

·         a passing place proposed on Hollow Lane beneficial for a Strategic Cycle Route;

·         the proposal is acceptable in its layout, design and general visual impact; and

·         the proposal will provide a good level of amenity for future occupiers and will not result in any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity.

 

The Principal Project Manager advised that Devon County Council had withdrawn their request for contributions towards primary education and Early Years provision because of the opening of Monkerton Primary School. She referred to an additional letter of representation expressing concern about the proposed size of a passing place on Hollow Lane and whether or not it would be large enough to prevent conflict between motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The Local Highway Authority was satisfied with the details.

 

It was noted that to the south east was land owned by Exeter City Council - the Ridgeline Park land - and that a financial contribution had been requested to improve the access and recreational value of this land. Measures would include creating east west pedestrian access points from Hollow Lane through the hedgerow and creating disability access and a path network.  The contribution would also fund green gym items and habitat enhancement.

 

William Dale spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

 

·         the application is for 44 homes, 35% of which are affordable. Taylor Wimpey wish to deliver high quality residential development, as seen at Mayfield Gardens;

·         application is in accordance with the Monkerton and Hill Barton Masterplan Area which designates the site for residential development. The scheme has been designed to provide continuity with the wider consented schemes, whilst creating a landscape led development which responds to the site’s location along the Monkerton Ridge;

·         the development demonstrates a positive relationship with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

79.

List of Decisions Made and Withdrawn Applications pdf icon PDF 16 KB

To consider the report of the Director City Development, Housing and Supporting People.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Director City Development, Housing and Supporting People was submitted.

           

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

80.

Appeals Report pdf icon PDF 336 KB

To consider the report of the Director City Development, Housing and Supporting People.

 

Minutes:

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.