Agenda and minutes

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July, 1 September and 29 September 2014.

The minutes of the meetings held on 21 July, 1 September and 29 September were taken as read and signed by the Chair as correct.

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

The Assistant Director City Development reported that there had been little further progress between the Golf Club and Persimmon.

The City Development Manager presented the application for outline Planning Application (all matters reserved except for access) for up to 392 residential dwellings with associated infrastructure on land forming part of the Newcourt Urban Extension

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes.

Mr Bishop spoke against the application.  He raised the following points:-

·      accept application will be approved as it forms part of the Newcourt masterplan;

·      a 1.5 metre footpath proposed for part of Old Rydon Lane will help slow the traffic down but the road but will only be 4.32 metres wide in places, which is not wide enough for two vehicles to pass and the only passing points are in private drives leading to damage to the drives. Safety of pedestrians, cyclists will be compromised by construction traffic;

·      during the IKEA construction the footpath will be closed and pedestrians and cyclists will be forced to use Old Rydon Lane and the Sandy Park link to access Digby/Clyst Heath;

·      the Transport Safety Audit was completed on a Saturday and only recorded vehicle journeys. At peak time, Old Rydon Lane has at least 150 road users including cyclists and pedestrians per hour. Safety of all road users will not be addressed by a footpath;

·      a link road should be constructed prior to work commencing as per Newcourt Way. Otherwise Old Rydon Lane should be 20mph from the development to Newcourt Way and made a “No Through Road” to lorries;

·      access from the development to the railway land and halt should be via a caged step-free bridge not an underpass;

·      existing residents request the three storey buildings to be minimised and positioned at the lowest point on the site so that existing line of view is not obstructed; and

·      SWW identified the foul sewer to be at probable capacity. Newcourt residents are aware of sewer smells in the area and sludge bowsers are in constant attendance pumping out sewers. Improvements to the system will cost money and cause major disruption on Old Rydon Lane.

Responding to a Member he stated that he objected to an underpass because of the potential for anti-social behaviour.

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

• the development is fully compliant with policy, with the land allocated in Newcourt Masterplan for housing. It is compliant with Core Strategy and Local Plan, Newcourt Masterplan, Green Infrastructure Strategy, and Residential Design SPD;
• theproposal provides the key elements as set out in the Newcourt Masterplan. The Exeter Core Strategy proposes around 3,500 dwellings and 16 hectares of employment land, and the site is considered to be suitable for housing development;
• no residential development has yet been granted planning permission to the

east of the Exmouth branch line but a planning application for 50 dwellings was recently refused on land adjoining this application site at Bricknells Bungalow for reasons of insufficient transport information; failure to accord with residential design policies; and failure to achieve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The Assistant Director City Development reported that the application for the erection of 57 dwellings, vehicular access from Pinn Lane, associated roads, parking and provision of public open space had been deferred pending receipt of Devon County Council comments on highway matters.

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To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for the refurbishment and extension to provide 34 student apartments and two Class A3 units.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes. It was noted that no objections had been received other than from English Heritage. Members were advised that lighting to the front of the property would be dependent on the requirements of the restaurants.

With regard to CIL contributions in the future, a Member asked that regard be had to measures that could ameliorate the impact of the concentration of students on local communities.

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

RESOLVED that, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring an agreed unilateral undertaking securing a Student Management Plan and continued use as student accommodation, delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director City Development in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee to APPROVE planning permission for 34 student apartments and two Class A3 units, subject also to the following conditions:-

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 18 November 2014 at 9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Choules, Denham and Mitchell.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 18 November 2914 at 9.30 a.m.The Councillors attending will be Choules, Denham and Mitchell.