Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning officer regarding an application for the erection of 93 houses, new public open space, new roads including link from Throstle Road to Towcester Avenue and associated works.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the erection of 93 houses, new public open space, new roads including link from Throstle Road to Towcester Avenue and associated works at land at Towcester Avenue, Throstle Road and Thorpe Road, Middleton.

Members had visited the site prior to the Panel meeting held in August when a position statement on the application was presented.

Site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on the application.

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

·  The proposals consisted of the development of three separate parts of land and an extension to the existing swale.

·  Following concerns raised regarding the link road and the need for robust traffic conditions it was reported that final proposals had included speed cushions.

·  Members were shown proposed house designs – these had been designed with regard to the Middleton Masterplan and would be built of of red brick with grey tiled roofs.

·  There was a proposal for the provision of CCTV on the link road which was subject to costs being finailised.

·  Education provision – the Department for Education had approved a bid for a two form entry primary school which was due to open in September 2018.  It was not felt that there would be a significant impact on secondary education.

·  Existing public rights of way would be retained.

·  The swale extension was to be re-advertised.

·  The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions outlined in the report and finalising agreements for the swale extension and Section 106 agreement.

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

·  Further to concern expressed at the previous meeting, there had not been any revision to houses which would have adjacent front doors.  In response to further concern, it was reported that adjacent front doors were not untypical on this kind of housing, met all design guidelines and that there were no concerns regarding privacy as soundproofing requirements were met.

·  All the affordable housing units would be built to lifetime home standards and would allow adaption throughout the lifetime of the occupant.

·  Consultation with local Ward Councillors – off site highways works had remained the only area of concern and it was suggested that further consultation be made a condition of the application should it be granted.

·  Each property would have a minimum of two car parking spaces.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted subject to specified conditions and prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement (to secure affordable housing provision, a greenspace contribution, a travel plan, a sustainable travel fund and provisions for local employment) and the suggested conditions with the following additions:

·  That the decision to defer and delegate the approval is subject to the expiry of the publicity period following the receipt of a revised plan increasing the extent of the application site to accommodate all of the land required for the proposed swale. If as a result of this publicity any representations are received that raise new and significant planning issues in respect of these specific works then the application will be reported back to Panel for a decision.

·  That the Section 106 Agreement includes a clause requiring the provision of Close Circuit Television.

Also, that ward Members are consulted on off-site highway works that flow from this development (including those required by conditions 6 and 7)

(Councillor Nash requested that her abstention in the voting for this application be recorded)