Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2024 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

The Principal Project Manager – Development Management presented the reserved matters application (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission 20/1380/OUT for residential development of 80 homes and associated infrastructure).

Members received a presentation which included:-

·         site location plan;

·         aerial view;

·         proposed site plan;

·         character areas (1 to 3);

·         drainage layout (west and east);

·         visuals for Lichfield Road and St Peters Mount (existing, year 1 and year 15);

·         key matters; and

·         officer recommendation.

The Principal Project Manager – Development Management responded to questions from Members as follows:-

·         having a tree management in place was part of the conditions and any breaches were expected to be reported by members of the public;

·         the type of trees to be planted had already been agreed and the trees would be as mature as possible;

·         the trees would be planted immediately after the buildings have been built;

·         the marketing aspect of the properties in the development fell outside the remit of Planning;

·         no conversation had taken place about viability and it could only be assumed that the developers would deliver the scheme as submitted;

·         no application for phased building had been submitted;

·         the computer-generated landscapes shown in the presentation had been done by a certified photomontage expert;

·         the semi-mature trees would be planted immediately after the building had been completed;

·         the playing areas would cover a range of ages. The exact details of the playing areas were not yet known but were required;

·         South West Water had accepted the split-sewage plan (whereas they normally would not accept combined pipes unless there were no issues);

·         while the affordable housing element of the scheme appeared to be clustered, it was in fact normal for such projects to have up to ten affordable dwellings together; and

·         the flats in the development would have access to a communal garden.

Speaking under Standing Order 44, Councillor Bialyk congratulated the planning team for their mitigation efforts and made reference to:-

·         the decision of the Inspectorate;

·         his wish that the Chair of the Planning Committee be consulted on any changes;

·         the drainage on Exwick Lane;

·         the need for the hedges to be maintained;

·         the hedgerow near Barley Villas;

·         the importance of the site to both the city and the countryside; and

·         the need to bear in mind flooding risks as much as possible.

Mr Chris Marsh, speaking in favour of the application, stressed how the developers had worked closely with Exeter City Council; he made particular reference to:-

·         the three character areas;

·         how the scheme would promote connectivity;

·         the ecological enhancement;

·         the significant planting of trees;

·         how the initial visual impact would be reduced steadily from day one;

·         the material benefits;

·         the energy rating; and

·         the developers’ intention to deliver the project as submitted.

Mr Marsh responded to Members’ questions as follows:-

·         the quota of 35% affordable housing had been agreed at the outline stage;

·         maintenance of the trees would be transferred to a management company and undertaken in accordance with the landscape management plan;

·         the planting strategy offered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

The Assistant Service Lead – Development Management (Major Projects) presented the application for Development comprising change of use to golf driving range including construction of an 8 bay and 2 bay facility incorporating equipment store and car park (Variation of condition 2 of 21/1676/FUL to change the surface material of the car park from grasscrete or similar to recycled plastic cell gravel).

Members received a presentation which included:-

• site location plan;
• aerial view;
• Riverside & Ludwell Valley Parks Masterplan 2016-2026;
• existing gate/location of access;
• existing access road looking south;
• view of site from existing access looking east;
• approved site layout;
• proposed change and suggested colour;
• approved planting plan;
• views towards site from Ludwell Valley Park; and
• officer recommendation.

The Assistant Service Lead – Development Management (Major Projects) responded to questions from Members as follows:-

·         the applicant felt that grasscrete was not ideal in terms of possible run-off and heating up the soil;

·         there would be worms in the soil under the gravel;

·         the remit of the Committee with regard to the present application was to consider visual harm and sustainability of drainage;

·         no ecology report was required for this application;

·         the Committee could only assess what the developer wanted to build;

·         there was previous experience of the proposed material at the golf driving range; and

·         if the present application was refused, the applicant would have to revert to the original application “or similar”.

Speaking under Standing Order 44, Councillor Wardle made the following points:-

·         he had been strongly opposed to the original application;

·         several objectors had wanted to attend the present meeting but were unable to do so;

·         the location was an oasis of calm;

·         the proposal was a small change which had a cumulative effect;

·         residents did not agree that vehicles driving on gravel was acceptable; and

·         no reason had been given for this application being made.

In responses to questions from Members, Councillor Wood made the following

further comments:-

·         it was essential to establish how green the new material was; and

·         residents had now accepted grasscrete.

Speaking in favour of the application, Mr Peter Lacey made the following comments:-

·         changes in the weather had forced the club to review its options;

·         also, changes in the weather had resulted in rain-sodden grass surfaces, where previously the grass was playable all year round;

·         the National Trust had distanced themselves from a product similar to grasscrete;

·         the proposed changes were compatible with the landscape;

·         the noise arising from cars driving on the gravel had been overstated;

·         a 15-metre wide tree belt adjacent to the Tollards Road boundary would provide visual and sound screening; and

·         cars approaching the site would do so at low speed.

Mr Lacey responded to Members’ questions as follows:-

·         the gravel itself was made of stone and would be resting on recycled plastic cells;

·         the gravel would be locally sourced (near Plympton);

·         the plastic cells had been heavily advertised as being made of recycled plastic;

·         the biggest problem with grasscrete was the weather (i.e. 25ml of rain became 50ml  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

A Member asked if there had been an upturn in planning applications. The Strategic Director for Place replied that there had been a downturn in applications in Exeter, especially major projects.

The report of the Strategic Director for Place was noted.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

A Member expressed satisfaction that the appeal for application no. 23/0652/FUL (70 Pennsylvania Road) had been dismissed and stressed the importance of community balance.

The report of the Strategic Director for Place was noted.