Issue - meetings

To consider the demolition of existing Walpole Court sheltered living accommodation and associated bungalows and construction of 24no. dwellings with associated road and vehicle access, car parking, garden areas and ancillary works.

The Committee considered a report in respect of application 24/00047/FPM seeking permission for the demolition of existing Walpole Court sheltered living accommodation and associated bungalows and the construction of 24no. dwellings with associated road and vehicle access, car parking, garden areas and ancillary works.

Following a period of questions and answers, it was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the report.

The Committee considered a report in respect of application 24/00047/FPM seeking permission for the demolition of existing Walpole Court sheltered living accommodation and associated bungalows and the construction of 24no. dwellings with associated road and vehicle access, car parking, garden areas and ancillary works.

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that the application was in respect of phase two of the Kenilworth Close redevelopment. Phase one, granted planning permission in October 2019, involved mixed-use development. Phase two initially planned for flats but had changed to family housing based on community feedback.

The Principal Planning Officer highlighted the location of the site as being at the western end of Blenheim Way at the junction with Kenilworth Close. To the South of the site was woodland parallel to the east coast mainline railway, and to the north was the recently redeveloped Kenilworth Close neighbourhood centre. To the west and east were various residential developments. The existing buildings included a predominantly two-storey horseshoe-shaped sheltered housing block.

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that the affordable housing requirement for the site had been met in phase one, which included a mix of unit sizes appropriate for the borough's needs at that time.

The Principal Planning Officer informed the Committee that the total number of parking spaces provided in proposed developments was 59no. This consisted of 54no. private residential spaces and 5no. visitor spaces.

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that a strategy including tree replacement and a 10% biodiversity net gain had been proposed.

The Committee was shown photos and diagrams including the site, existing and proposed elevations, and examples of the proposed materials.

A Member asked a question related to affordable housing in terms of unit sizes. The Principal Planning Officer responded that the affordable housing in phase one included a mix of unit sizes which were considered appropriate for the needs of the borough at that time.

A Member asked a question related to disabled parking spaces. The Principal Planning Officer responded that there was no policy requirement for disabled parking spaces as these were private allocated parking spaces plus 5no visitor unallocated spaces spread across the development.

A Member asked a question regarding the current occupancy of the sheltered accommodation and any potential rehousing. The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that existing residents would be rehoused in the independent living block built in phase one.

In response to a question related to flood mitigation measures, the Principal Planning Officer advised that additional information had been submitted which addressed the local flood authority's concerns, subject to planning conditions.

A Member asked a question regarding social housing. The Development Manager confirmed that the policy required 25% of units to be affordable housing, which could include a mix of affordable rent, intermediate housing, and other types, but there was no statutory requirement for social housing. The affordable housing requirement for this site had already been met in phase one of the development.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10