Apologies of Absence were received from Councillors Barry Humphreys MBE and Sarah Mansel.

None received.

All Members of the Committee declared that they had been lobbied on application DC/19/02090.

Councillors Andrew Mellen and John Matthissen declared personal site visits to application DC/19/02090.

To Follow

The Governance Officer reported that a draft of the Minutes had been completed but had yet to be signed off. The Minutes of the meeting would be presented at the next meeting.

None received.

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for public speaking on planning applications a representation was made as detailed below:

58.1 Item

            Application:      DC/19/02090  

Proposal:         Outline Planning Application (some matters reserved) – Erection of up to 210 dwellings and new vehicular access to include planting and landscaping, natural and semi-natural green space including community growing space(s), children’s play area and sustainable drainage system (SuDS), to include 35% affordable housing.

Site location:   THURSTON-  Land to the East of, Ixworth Road, Thurston, Suffolk

            Applicant:        Gladman Developments Ltd      

58.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the previous resolution from the committee being a minded to refuse decision from the meeting held on the 29 January 2020, the contents of the tabled papers, and the officer recommendation of approval as detailed in the committee report including the updated conditions in the tabled papers.

58.3 The Case Officer responded to Members questions on issues including: the proposed software used for controlling the traffic lights at the Bunbury Arms and the database it was based upon, the 35% Affordable Housing provision, the healthcare provision in the area, the current status of the trees along Ixworth Road, and the proposed railway station access feasibility study.

58.4 The Case Officer responded to further questions from Members on issues including: possible use of CIL monies, that if the application was refused the funding for the MOVA software would not come forward.

58.5 A short comfort break was taken between 11:00 -11:10.

58.6 Members considered the representation from Derrick Haley, who spoke as the Parish Council representative.

58.7 The Parish Council representative responded to Members questions on issues including: the impact on the Neighbourhood Plan.

58.8 The Chief Planning Officer clarified that the Thurston Neighbourhood plan acknowledged that the District Council identified the strategic direction for housing growth.

58.9 Members considered the representation from Stuart Carvel who spoke as the Applicant.

58.10 The Applicant responded to Members questions on issues including: whether the funding for the MOVA system could be provided by a different development.

58.11 Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Harry Richardson.

58.12 The Ward Member responded to Members’ questions on issues including: other sites that were available in the area.

58.13 The Chair read out a statement from the Ward Member, Councillor Wendy Turner who was unable to attend the meeting.

58.14 Members debated the application on the issues including: the proposed Highways improvements, the density of the proposal, the settlement boundary, the Neighbourhood plan, the changes that have happened since the proposal was previously before Members, the delivery of infrastructure, the Council’s current housing land supply, links from the site to the rest of Thurston, the proposed improvements to the railway station, the housing need in the area, the strategic infrastructure that was proposed.

58.15 Members continued to debate the application on the issues including: the weight associated with the Neighbourhood Plan, the CIL monies available for health provision, traffic management in the area, the proposed landscape buffers, the sustainability of the proposal.

58.16 The Chief Planning Officer clarified that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.