Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding applications for engineering and ground works to allow development of 46 dwellings with associated access, car parking, landscaping and public open space.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented applications for engineering and ground works to facilitate residential development of 46 dwellings with associated access, car parking, landscaping and public open space at land off New Village Way, Churwell, Morley.

The application had been deferred at the previous meeting to allow for further negotiation on house/room sizes, site layout, school provision, further information on air quality and highways implications.

Members had visited the site prior to the meeting in November and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on the applications.

Further issues highlighted included the following:

·  All properties now met size standards.  This had meant an increase in the number of 2 bedroom dwellings.

·  There had been no objections raised by the air quality team.  Air quality monitoring had previously been carried out at residential properties close to the M621 and all levels had measured below recommended requirements.  The site was therefore considered suitable for residential development with regards to air quality and no mitigation was required.

·  It was reported that there would be expansion in local primary schools which would accommodate for this development.  With regard to secondary provision there were proposals for a new free school in the area.  There would also be a CIL contribution from the developer towards the provision of education.

·  Access to the site was not considered to be a problem as there was access via two loops to the main road.

·  Although there were challenges for development at this site, it was felt that the benefits of a full affordable housing contribution and CIL contribution outweighed the harm of development and it was recommended that the applications be approved.

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

·  A thorough assessment of school places had been carried out and had taken account of demand generated by new housing.

·  Noise limits from the motorway would still exceed guidelines at some properties but only with regard to outdoor areas.

·  The nearest bus stops were 880 metres from the site and had high frequency services to the city centre.

·  The width of the carriage way to the site was in line with requirements.

·  There was currently sufficient space at Cottingley and Churwell Primary schools to accommodate additional pupils.

·  The site fell within the catchment of two Clinical Commissioning Groups.  There had been no objection to the proposed development with regard to the provision of GP services.

·  Some concern was raised that issues relating to health provision, carriageway width and noise disturbance had not been adequately addressed.

RESOLVED –

(1)  Application 16/03675/FU – That permission be granted subject to the specified conditions

(2)  Application 16/03676/FU – That approval be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning  Officer subject to the conditions specified (and any others which might be considered appropriate) and the completion of a legal agreement within 3 months from the date of resolution, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Chief Planning Officer to include the following obligations:

o  Affordable housing – 15% (7units) on-site in accordance with Core Strategy policy H5

o  Green Space Maintenance

o  £10,000 to install a new ‘live’ nus information display at Bus Stop number 10325

o  Local employment initiatives

In the circumstances where the undertaking has not been completed within 3 months the final determination of the application shall be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer.