Agenda item

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Morris left the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for three residential buildings comprising eight flats and one coach house, access to highway, parking and associated works at Land off, Ennerdale Way, Exeter.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes. Revised plans had been received indicating the area of communal open space proposed.

The recommendation was to authorise the Assistant Director City Development to approve the application, subject to the receipt of a Building for Life assessment, revised landscape plans indicating the extent of the communal open space, a financial contribution towards protection of Natura 2000 sites and the conditions as set out in the report.

A management plan was sought in respect of the use of the communal garden area and car parking arrangements.

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

·         scheme will contribute to the tidying up and enhancement of the area generally and reduce security problems

·         Cornerstone are the largest provider of social housing in the Exwick area

·         other Cornerstone schemes in Exeter were well designed

·         although some of the existing tenants in the flats adjoining the site will have reduced views, the provision of an improved community area will benefit all and enhance community interaction. This part of the City possessed significant areas of open space for use by residents.

Ms Seaborne (applicant) spoke in support of this application. She raised the following points:-

·         Cornerstone is an established Housing Association managing 1,200 homes in Exeter and specialising in affordable housing

·         the site has been long identified for nine new affordable homes and grant support is available from the Homes and Communities Agency. The units will be built within an existing estate of 28 homes

·         a new landscaping scheme will be provided, to possibly include allotments

·         scheme supported by Exeter City Council housing section as it contributes to meeting the significant demand for affordable homes in Exeter

·         a range of units will be provided including one bed flats for singles and couples on the first floor and two bed flats for small families and those with disabilities on the ground floor

·         close to shops and open space and provides a safe and secure environment for tenants

She responded as follows to Members’ queries:-

·         a landscape architect has been engaged to deliver a landscape scheme in consultation with the residents

·         apart from two objections, the majority of tenants were agreeable to the loss of their garden areas to facilitate a communal garden. There was unanimous support for landscaping the waste ground adjacent to the Civil Service Club

·         a parking management plan will be provided

RESOLVED that, subject to an additional condition requiring the submission of a management plan for both a communal garden area and car parking arrangements, the application for planning permission for three residential buildings comprising eight flats and one coach house, access to highway, parking and associated works be delegated to the Assistant Director City Development to approve subject to the receipt of revised landscape plans indicating the extent of the communal open space, a financial contribution towards protection of Natura 2000 sites and the following conditions:-

(Report circulated)