Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the construction of 22 dwelling houses and associated works.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out an application for the construction of 22 dwelling houses and associated work on land off Tyersal Close, Tyersal, Leeds.

This application had originally been reported to Plans Panel on 19^th July 2018. Minute 11 refers. Members had attended a site visit on the morning of 19^th July 2018.

At the meeting held on 19^th July 2018 Members had resolved that the application should be deferred to clarify with the applicant the following points housing mix, size of houses and the house prices put forward by the applicant. Members had also asked for clarity on an area of land to the East of the access road. The report submitted on 19^th July 2018 had been attached to the report for this meeting.

Photographs, 3D visuals and plans were shown at the meeting.

The Panel were advised of the following points:

·  Revised plans had been submitted on 24^th August 2018, showing the onsite green space area removed and an additional four units provided with one affordable unit;

·  Neighbour notification letters had been issued with the expiry date being 22nd September 2018;

·  A further 8 letters of objection had been received which raised concerns as set out at point 2.1 of the submitted report;

·  Red Kites spotted in the area would not be affected. However a condition had been requested by the Nature Team to provide biodiversity enhancements;

·  A further condition in regard to the maximum gradient to access;

·  Housing mix would now consist of three – four bedroom homes which was set out at point 4.3 of the submitted report;

·  An owner for the area of land to the East of the access site had not been found. However the applicant had said that they would maintain the patch of land until such a time as the owner could be located;

·  Offsite green space contribution of £82,212.13 to be spent on sport and recreational facilities at Tyersal Park as discussed with ward members.

A resident of Tyersal Close, who objected to the application, addressed the Panel and informed them of the following points:

·  Over the years the site had become a nature reserve with rabbits, foxes, birds and a woodpecker all being sighted;

·  The owners had already removed trees from the site;

·  Access to the site was poor due to the acute angles of the roads;

·  The site was greenfield not brownfield, and there is little green space between Pudsey and Bradford;

·  The development would be detrimental to the area.

The Panel heard from Will Cartwright on behalf of the applicant:

·  The trees had been removed as they had been of poor quality and this was lawful removal;

·  There was a need for housing in this area and the land was not greenbelt;

·  The width of Tyersal Close was adequate for access of vehicles to the site;

·  There would be sufficient parking allocated on site;

·  Negotiations had taken place and changes had been made to the application;

·  A contribution of £362,000 would be made with £82,000 agreed for improvements to Tyersal Park and 1 affordable house.

Members’ discussions included the following issues:

·  The consultation that had been undertaken with ward members;

·  How the unowned land would be maintained;

·  Profit margins and contributions.

Members’ comments included:

·  Their disappointment in only 1 affordable house to be built;

·  Proposed better mix of housing types than previous proposal;

·  The design and materials thought to be bland;

·  Disappointment in lack of green amenity space.

RESOLVED – To defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report and for 106 but with alteration to the Overage Clause to ensure a viability re-test was carried out at the 15^th and 21^st dwelling constructed and occupied.