Agenda item

To receive a report of the Chief Planning Officer which details an application for Development of 291 residential dwellings with open space and associated infrastructure on land east of Great North Road, Micklefield.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which detailed an application for the Development of 291 residential dwellings with open space and associated infrastructure on land east of Great North Road, 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:

• That there had been an increase in the number of two bedroomed properties and an increase in the variety of properties;
• That all requirements had now been met in relation to space standards;
• The existing tree belt would be retained;
• There would be a CIL contribution of £1.2 million;

The Panel then heard from Councillor Crossley, Chairman of Micklefield

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

included:

• That in order to expand the primary school there would need to be encroachment onto the green belt;
• That the development should provide ample parking provision for its future residents;
• The deficiency  in green space on the development and how this would be addressed;
• The desire to work with the developers in terms of using appropriate materials; and
• The importance of linking the development with the existing Garden Village development.

The Panel then heard from Paul Butler of PB Planning Ltd, agent for the applicant and Paul Wharam from Barratt Homes. Information put forward included:

• There would be a mix of housing with 15% of the development being affordable housing;
• The development would bring employment opportunities;
• 60-70 units would be built per year;
• The Northern Access road between Garden Village and the site would be widened and that the developer would be happy to work with the Council with regards to upgrading Church Lane; and
• Surface water from the site would be captured and released slowly in order to mitigate against flooding.

A representative from Childrens Services updated the Panel on the situation with the local primary school and that expansion was being considered and could be accommodated.

The Chief Planning Officer commented that in terms of expanding the school it would be possible to encroach on to the green belt as the school’s pitches could be moved in to the greenbelt.

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

• The need for a sympathetic approach to the appearance of the development so that it fitted in with existing housing stock in terms of materials. Furthermore that consideration should be given to putting chimneys on the houses where appropriate;
• The Panel agreed that quality and variety of houses was essential;
• That it was reassuring to hear the developer would be prepared to work with the Parish Council with regards to the use of materials for the development; and
• Assurance was sought that each house would have sufficient parking space.

The Head of Planning Services commented that officers would give careful consideration to the design of the homes and ensure Members comments were incorporated. It was also confirmed to Members that the school issue would be fully considered as would the link of the proposed development to existing housing stock.

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 subject to there being an additional link provided to the site from the NE of Garden Village and further consultation with the Parish Council regarding materials and chimneys.