Agenda and minutes

Venue: Guildhall, High Street, Exeter

Contact: Howard Bassett, Democratic Services Officer (Committees)  01392 265107 or email  howard.bassett@exeter.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

38.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 371 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 27 May and 7 June 2021.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 29 May and 7 June 2021 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct.

 

 

39.

Councillor Alys Martin

Minutes:

Councillor Martin had submitted her apologies due to her need to meet Government’s requirements to self isolate in respect of Covid-19.

 

 

 

40.

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.

 

 

 

41.

Planning Application No. 21/0223/OUT - Land at Home Farm, Pinhoe, Exeter pdf icon PDF 526 KB

To consider the report of the Liveable Exeter Programme Director and Interim City Development Lead.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (MH) presented the application for outline planning permission for the construction of up to 61 dwellings and associated infrastructure

 

With reference to photographs, illustrative plans and the relationship to the surrounding rural and urban areas and adjacent properties the Principal Project Manager referred to the following key issues:-

 

·         the principle of development;

·         affordable housing;

·         impact on access, local highways, landscape, heritage assets;

·         scale, design, impact on character and appearance; ecological issues/habitats mitigation;

·         flood risk and surface water management;

·         Sustainable Construction and Energy Conservation;

·         Economic benefits and CI/Section 106; and

·         visual impact on landscape setting – relevance of conclusions on importance of this site remaining undeveloped when previous development was considered on appeal.

 

The Principal Project Manager (Development) provided the following additional detail:-

 

·         the relationship of the development to the neighbouring development currently under construction on land to the south. A singular access would be provided on the southern boundary of the site via this neighbouring development which would connect via the road network of that development onto Church Hill;

·         the receipt of a series of slides provided by an objector showing the views of the site and the impact of the development from various vantage points from the neighbourhood, within the city and outside the city boundaries;

·         the receipt of 93 objections;

·         the submission of an e petition of over 2,000 signatures entitled – “Protect Green Infrastructure in Pinhoe” to be considered at the Council meeting on 21 July 2021;

·         the impact the built development would have on the overall landscape character of the area both locally and a wider landscape setting, was a fundamental consideration as to whether the scheme was acceptable whilst also taking into account material planning considerations and the Council’s lack of a five year housing supply; and

·         it was considered that the landscape quality of this valued site and the harmful intrusive visual impact created by the proposed housing development should be afforded greater weight, in this instance.

 

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

 

·         welcome the recommendation for refusal;

·         very strong opposition to the development in Pinhoe including the 93 objections;

·         whilst issues of concern such as impact on the landscape and biodiversity and highway matters are important, of greater significance is the need to protect the Green Circle around Exeter for future generations;

·         with no bus service proposed and with a considerable distance from retail outlets such as Sainsbury’s and a Spar shop it is not a sustainable development. Residents will need cars to access the shops as the distance to the development is too great to walk; and

·         the development would not meet the Council’s ambitions to become a Carbon Free city.

 

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

 

·         the proposed site, known locally as ‘Higher Field’, forms the beginning of Exeter’s Northern Hills, and as such is an important part of the City’s landscape setting;

·         the ancient Pinhoe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

42.

Planning Application No. 20/1446/FUL - 102 Main Road, Pinhoe, Exeter pdf icon PDF 379 KB

To consider the report of the Liveable Exeter Programme Director and Interim City Development Lead.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Assistant Service Lead Planning presented the application for a new dwelling with parking, landscaping and new works.

 

With reference to photographs, plans and the relationship to the surrounding rural and urban areas and to the presentation made at the previous Committee meeting, the Assistant Service Lead provided the following additional detail in respect of this site which formed part of an established residential plot and side garden of a Grade II Listed end-of-terrace thatched roof cottage and was primarily composed of the private garden area of 102 Main Road but also contained the vehicular access point that currently serves two occupied dwellings, 100 and 102 Main Road:-

 

·         an updated visibility splay drawing;

·         a shadow analysis report showing the development’s impact compared to the existing at the summer solstice, equinox and winter solstice. Although there was some additional overshadowing in the afternoon around the equinox the impact on internal daylight levels would be minimal;

·         the existing mature boundary hedge would be retained and maintained providing protection from headlights as would the parking area proposed being below the lawn area to the north with a retaining wall further shielding disturbance from headlights; and

·         the receipt of 11 objections and one letter of support.

 

 

The Assistant Service Lead advised of the following responses:-

 

·         no objection from Devon County Council, subject to the implementation of conditions prior to occupation including improved access, the provision of a visibility splay and removal of a lamppost;

·         no response from East Devon District Council;

·         conditions on construction hours recommend by Environmental Health; and

·         no objections raised from Exeter City Council Heritage.

 

The following responses were made by the Assistant Service Lead to Members’ queries:-

 

·         a condition for the lamppost to be retained but removed to a different location at the cost of the applicant would be added. This would aid visibility;

·         to improve visibility the vegetation and existing wall would be removed and a new wall provided;

·         the reference to replacement vegetation of similar size and species was standard wording;

·         permission to build an uncovered swimming pool is usually allowed under domestic permitted development rights; in this instance, it is proposed to remove the rights to do so by a condition to enable the local planning authority to retain control;

·         an anticipated six vehicles a day, three in each direction could be expected normally; and

·         the improvement to the access onto the driveway would offset the disadvantage of additional vehicles resulting from an additional dwelling.

 

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

 

·         safety of pedestrians is a concern as there is only a pavement on one side of the road and it is necessary to cross the road from the front of these properties to access the bus stop;

·         the recent site visit at 9:30 am clearly showed the danger to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists of this busy B3181 road;

·         surprised by the views of the highway authority that the access will be improved even  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.

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

To consider the report of the Liveable Exeter Programme Director and Interim City Development Lead.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Liveable Exeter Programme Director and Interim City Development Lead was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

 

 

44.

Appeals Report pdf icon PDF 205 KB

To consider the report of the Liveable Exeter Programme Director and Interim City Development Lead.

 

 

Minutes:

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

 

45.

Site Inspection Party

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 13 July 2021 at

9.30 a.m.  Members on the previously circulated list were Councillors Denning, Hannaford and Mrs Henson.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party is scheduled for will be held on Tuesday 13 July 2021 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Councillors Denning, Hannaford and Mrs Henson.