Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the current position on an outline application to lay out access road and erect up to 88 residential units

(report attached)

  Plans, photographs and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A site visit had taken place earlier in the day which some Members had attended

  Panel considered a position statement on a proposed outline application for residential development on land off Queen Street Allerton Bywater

  Officers presented the report, outlined the topography of the site and provided information on the proposed house types, these being a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses which would be set back into the site to create a softer appearance.  The Panel was informed that whilst private gardens would be provided, some of these were not as large as specified in SPG 13 ‘Neighbourhoods for Living’

  Members were informed that in line with Policy N24 of the UDPR(2006) a buffer was required between the site and the Green Belt abutting it.  As a bund was adjacent to the country park, this could provide screening where there was insufficient space to provide this buffer, if acceptable to Panel

  A Section 106 Agreement would be requested on this development with details of possible contributions being set out in the report before Members

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  highways issues, with concerns being raised at the approach to the site from Swillington in view of two recent fatal accidents

·  the need for local employment and apprenticeships arising from the scheme, if approved

·  concerns that the indicative layout seemed overcrowded at certain points on the site

·  that in respect of water discharge, water tanks would be more appropriate on the site

·  whether the Environment Agency had indicated their support for the proposed drainage/flooding measures

·  concern that Greenfield sites would be developed before Brownfield sites

·  whether in line with a Scrutiny Board recommendation, all S106 Agreements were being developed in conjunction with Ward Members

·  the benefit of receiving position statements to allow the Panel to see proposals at an early stage and offer input into the scheme

The Chief Planning Officer stated that the proposed S106 Agreement

provided for affordable housing, local training and employment and education contributions

  In addressing the specific questions asked of Panel in the report the following responses were provided:

·  no objection in principle to the development although further details regarding design and highways issues were needed

·  regarding access, the concerns raised about the approach from Swillington should be taken on board

·  the layout appears overcrowded and that the development should meet the requirements set out in SPG13 ‘Neighbourhoods for Living’.  Members required the affordable housing to be pepper-potted around the site

·  in terms of landscaping structure, the N24 planting should be provided and be sited within the red line boundary

·  that overall, a traditional approach to the design of the houses was favoured

·  that there were concerns about the S106 package of contributions particularly in terms of education provision as many of the local schools were full and that Ward Members should be involved at an early stage about the S106 Agreement

RESOLVED -  To note the report and the comments now made