Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lee Parker.

Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

None declared.

To Follow

The Chair advised Members that a draft of the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2020 had been prepared but had yet to be signed off by the planning officer. The minutes would be presented at the next available meeting.

None received.

In addition to any site inspections which the Committee may consider to be necessary, the Acting Chief Planning Officer will report on any other applications which require site inspections.

None requested.

An Addendum to Paper PL/19/41 will be circulated to Members prior to the commencement of the meeting summarising additional correspondence received since the publication of the agenda but before 12 noon on the working day before the meeting, together with any errata.

In accordance with the Council’s arrangements for Public Speaking at Planning Committee, representations were made as detailed below relating to the items in Paper PL/19/41 and the speakers responded to questions put to them as provided for under those arrangements.

It was RESOLVED

That subject to the imposition of conditions or reasons for refusal (whether additional or otherwise) in accordance with delegated powers under Council Minute No. 48(a) (dated 19 October 2004) decisions on the items referred to in Paper PL/19/41 be made as follows:-

167.1  Item 7A

Application:              DC/20/00701

Proposal:                 Application for approval of reserved matters following Outline Approval DC/18/00706 (hybrid application). Outline Planning Application (access to be considered) Erection of up to 75no dwellings and vehicular access. Change of use from private woodland to suitable alternative natural greenspace/community woodland) and associated infrastructure works. Approval of details reserved by conditions 8, 11, 16, 18, 28, 31, 32 and 33 of the Outline Approval.

Site Location:          WHERSTEAD – Klondyke Field, West of Bourne Hill, Wherstead, Suffolk

Applicant:                Bellway Homes (Essex) Ltd

167.2  The case officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the content of the tabled papers, and the officer recommendation of approval.

167.3  The case officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the proposed number of bungalows on the site, the reasons for the application being presented to Committee, the previous decisions made regarding access to the site, the height of the apartment block, and the parking layout on the site.

167.4  In response to a question regarding the Scheme of Delegation, the Area Planning Manager advised that this was a matter outside of Committees’ consideration and should be dealt with separately. He further advised that the number of bungalows had not been tied down at the Outline stage.

167.5  Members considered the representation from Robin Coates of Wherstead Parish Council.

167.6  The Parish Council representative responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the proposed number of bungalows on site.

167.7  Members considered the representation from Sarah Cornwell who spoke as the agent.

167.8  The agent responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the reduction in the proposed number of bungalows on the site since approval of outline planning permission, pedestrian access from the site to the A137, the outside space surrounding the apartment block, timescales for commencements of works, the surfacing of the footpath, whether a housing survey has been carried out and the housing requirements of the area, disabled facilities, and the planned environmental sustainability measures.

167.9  A short comfort break was taken between 10:33am and 10:41am.

167.10The agent and the Area Planning Manager responded to a question regarding the publication and accessibility of the Joint Local Plan.

167.11Members debated the application on the issues including: the housing needs in the area, the existing Local Plan, the environmental implications of the development, the open space on the site, the surfacing of the footpaths, and the proposed mix of housing on the site.

167.12Councillor Peter Beer proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation. Councillor Dave Busby seconded the proposal.

167.13Members continued to debate on issues including: the mix of dwellings, outside space around the flats, location of affordable housing, environmental measures, and pathways.

167.14Councillor Dave Busby withdrew his decision to second the proposal. The proposal made by Councillor Peter Beer fell for lack of a seconder.

167.15Councillor Dave Busby proposed that the application be deferred to allow officers to negotiate with the applicant. This was seconded by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167.

To Follow.

It was agreed that as the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2020 were included in the tabled papers, this item would be dealt with at the end of the meeting to enable Members to have time to consider them.

It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on the 29 July 2020 were confirmed as a true record and would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.