Agenda item

To receive a report of the Chief Planning Officer which details an Outline application for residential development on land off Church Lane, Micklefield.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which detailed an outline application for residential development on land off Church Lane, Micklefield.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application. Members had also attended a site visit prior to discussion of the item.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

• Access to the site would be from Church Lane and as such better access into and out of Church Lane from the A656 would be provided; and
• An additional objection to the proposal on highway grounds was reported on behalf of the adjoining landowner as additional land was available to improve the situation at the junction of Church Lane and the A656 and the present proposal for a reduced scheme was considered a compromise and would worsen matters.

The Panel then heard from Councillor Crossley, Chairman of Micklefield

Parish Council, who objected to the proposals. Information put forward

included:

• The potential loss of open views from the footpath if the site was developed with a tree screen on adjoining agricultural land;
• That it would be preferable if trees were spaced out to ensure that views across the open countryside were not lost;
• The need for all the development proposals for Micklefield to have a joined up approach; and
• The need for traffic calming measures on Church Lane.

Members discussed the provision for doctors surgeries in Micklefield and noted that currently the surgery was a “satellite” and not a permanent fixture but that if the development were to be approved the NHS would consider a permanent surgery.

Members also considered the type of landscaping that would be appropriate to ensure views of the countryside were retained.

The Panel then heard from Jonathan Dunbavin from ID Planning, agent for the applicant who noted the request for spaced landscaping and agreed to work with officers to ensure this is achieved.

Mr Dunbavin confirmed that third party land was available to purchase to allow for the straightening of the bend on Church Lane but that it would require the co-operation of all developers to pay for this work.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

• The preference for all three Micklefield schemes to commence and for a comprehensive scheme of highway improvements to be agreed;Whether straightening the bend in the road at Church Lane would reduce or increase speeding and accidents. Members requested that officers consider this issue;
• The issue of a lack of bus stops near to the proposed development and that it would be desirable for the bus stops in the village to be re-aligned;
• The importance of linking this development to existing and adjoining housing developments in the area;
• That efforts to should be made to save as many existing trees as possible;
• That each house should have a drive to park cars on to ensure the estate road does not get blocked or difficult to navigate; and
• The need to see more detail on the design of the houses and the layout of the development.

Members stressed the importance of co-ordination between the schemes proposed in Micklefield which would ideally help improve the chances for apprenticeships.

RESOLVED – The Panel resolved to

Defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer in order to finalise the conditions and S106 agreement as set out in the submitted report.