Issue - meetings

To consider an application for approval of reserved matters (layout, landscaping, scale, and appearance) for residential development of 243 units comprising Phase 1 Parcels A-C and commercial unit (Use Class E) pursuant to Outline permission 17/00862/OPM

It was RESOLVED that the application 23/00526/RMM be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report.

The Committee considered an application for the approval of reserved matters (layout, landscaping, scale, and appearance) for residential development of 243 units comprising Phase 1 Parcels A-C and commercial unit (Use Class E) pursuant to Outline permission 17/00862/OPM.

The Principal Planning Officer gave an introduction to the Committee.  She reminded Members that the outline application to establish the principle of development at the site, with all matters reserved except for the means of access was approved in September 2022 with the S106 Agreement being signed at the same time. 

The current application, reference 23/00526/RMM, proposed changes to the approved scheme which included –

·         Revised design of the local centre blocks 1 and 4, including a new public plaza and decking area overlooking the open space to the west;

·         Revised car parking layout within the local centre:

·         Minor highway changes to local centre road;

·         Inclusion of changes approved under reference 23/00310/NMA;

·         Inclusion of changes approved under reference 23/00431/NMA.

The Principal Planning Officer advised that the main issues for consideration now were the visual impact of the development on the character and appearance of the area, impact of the development on the conservation area, impact on neighbouring amenities, impact upon future amenities of residents, parking provision, highway implications, development and flood risk, impact on the environment, trees and landscaping and ecology.

The Committee was informed that all consultees on the original application had no further comments on the amended application which entailed changes to the design of the local centre.

Officers advised that the proposals for Phases 1A-C for the revised design of blocks 1 and 4 in the local centre, which included the provision of a plaza amenity space, commercial uses and residential flats, and also dwellings and apartments, and secondary and tertiary road network in phases 1A-B were considered to be acceptable on balance and the local centre design changes were considered to further enhance the scheme.

  Members noted that in addition to the proposed changes, the scheme continued to extend the highway network with the further spur roads, shared surfaces and private driveways.  Foot and cycle way connections were also shown to link up with the green links and main throughfares proposed as part of the infrastructure plans.

In relation to the impact on the heritage assets, St Nicholas and Rectory Lane Conservation Area, and nearby listed buildings, Officers did not consider them to be affected further than assessed under approval 22/00810/RMM.  Due regard had been given to Section 66 of the Listed Building Act 1990 in terms of considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affected the setting of the conservation area and listed buildings. Officers were of the opinion that it had been demonstrated that the development would cause, at the lower end of the scale, less than substantial harm to the setting of the conservation area and to a lesser degree the settings of the listed buildings.

Members were advised that the proposals would see allocated housing on site in a well-designed and contextual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2