Agenda item

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 details about the exact nature and species of the quickly maturing trees which would be planted;

·         the application was supported by an ecological scheme, which took into account e.g. bats in drainage areas;

·         the developers would not be involved in the marketing of the individual properties; and

·         any shortcomings regarding Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS) requirements would have been raised by ECC planning officers.

During debate, Members expressed the following views:-

·         the contribution towards Cemetery Park was the one positive outcome of the proposal; and

·         while most Members did not want this proposal in the first place, they found themselves having to work together towards an acceptable scheme, and this application was the best that could be expected in the circumstances.

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

The Chair moved and Councillor Mitchell seconded the recommendation, which

was voted upon and CARRIED.

RESOLVED that planning permission for Reserved Matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission 20/1380/OUT for residential development of 80 homes and associated infrastructure be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.