Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on a reserved matters application for a residential development of up to 325 dwellings, access and associated works including open space and structural landscaping, including the addition of a pelican crossing.

(Report attached)

This application was a Reserved Matters submission which sought approval for the appearance, structural landscaping, layout and scale for the residential development of 325 dwellings. Outline planning permission was granted for a maximum of 325 dwellings and means of access on 2^nd April 2015, following consideration at the 30^th October 2014 meeting of City Plans Panel, where it was resolved to defer and delegate approval to the Chief Officer subject to an agreement under S106 of the Planning Act.

Members had attended a site visit earlier in the day.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  Two means of access the main one at Spofforth Hill and the secondary access from Glebe Field Drive

·  The developer Bellway would where possible employ locally

·  6 additional objections had been received in addition to the 38 objections referenced in the report

·  Location of the Pelican Crossing had been agreed

·  Layout and design included a number of properties with fully functional chimneys

·  Photovoltaic Solar Panels to be positioned of houses which are south facing

·  Water consumption had exceeded guidelines

·  Electric power points had been secured

·  Members attention drawn to 10.37 of the submitted report advised Members that a number of units fall short of the national space standard including affordable units which are currently 10sqm short of the standard. This had been raised with the developers.

·  Photographs and plans were shown at the meeting with the officer pointing out trees that would be removed for access, pedestrian links to the development.

·  Semi mature trees would be used in replanting and landscaping.

Members also noted:

·  That the development would have a wide tree lined boulevard leading to the clock tower

·  An area with the potential to flood had been addressed with Flood Management

·  That doors and windows were all same

·  That there was enough natural space and all properties look onto open space

·  Units with ground floor parking were book-ended either by dwellings with ground floor habitable accommodation or by flats with ground floor habitable accommodation to secure better natural surveillance.

Members discussed the following issues:

·  The establishment of a local consultative forum with Bellway Prior to and during the construction of the site

·  Concerns regarding the location of the pelican crossing to close to access point for turning

·  Future maintenance of the proposed block paving used within the development.

·  Construction access

·  The selection of Photovoltaic Solar panels

·  Maintenance of hedgerows and trees

·  Public transport links

·  Walkways and linkage to woodland through S106

·  Concerns for schools capacity  in the area

·  Drainage and flooding issues

·  The location of the hedgerow buffers not in Leeds boundary

Members requested that no more than 3 or 4 trees to be removed.

Members were informed that Bellway would include in the purchasing pack the size of the properties so buyers were aware of the squares meters of space per dwelling.

RESOLVED – To defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer, subject to the completion of a unilateral undertaking under Section 106 to secure landscape buffer, and conditions to cover those matters outlined in the submitted report.

Members also requested that a local consultative forum be established prior to and during the construction of the development and are to be involved in the discharge of outstanding conditions on the reserved and outline permissions and where agreement is not reached refer back to Panel.