Minutes:
29.1 A short comfort break was taken between 15:29-15:40 after the completion of DC/19/02090 but before the commencement of DC/18/04357.
29.2 Councillor Matthew Hicks left the meeting during the Comfort Break.
29.3 As the both Chairs of the Planning Referrals meeting had left the meeting the Governance Officer asked for nomination for a Chair for the remainder of the meeting.
29.4 Councillor James Caston proposed that Councillor Lavinia Hadingham be appointed as the Chair of the meeting. Councillor Dave Muller seconded the motion.
29.5 By 7 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions
29.6 RESOLVED
That Councillor Lavinia Hadingham Chair the items for the remainder of the Planning Referrals Committee.
29.2 Item C
Application DC/18/04357
Proposal Outline Planning Application (All matters reserved) Erection of up to 70 dwellings.
Site Location STOWUPLAND- Land to the South of Gipping Road, Stowupland, Stowmarket
Applicant Gladman Developments Ltd
29.3 At this point it was agreed by Members that the remaining items on the agenda after application DC/18/03357 would not be heard at the meeting and would be rescheduled to be returned to Committee at a later date.
29.4 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, and the officer recommendation of approval.
29.5 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the biodiversity strategy, the contents of the proposed Section 106 Agreement, access to the site, pedestrian and cycle links to the site, and public transport links in the area.
29.6 Members considered the representation from Jerry Voden of Stowupland Parish Council.
29.7 Members considered the representation from Stuart Carvel who spoke as the applicant.
29.8 The Applicant responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the design and access statement, the proposed sustainability measures, and the Section 106 contributions.
29.9 Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Keith Welham.
29.10 Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Rachel Eburne.
29.11 The Ward Members responded to Members’ questions on issues including: footpaths in the area, the Neighbourhood Plan, and the history of the site.
29.12 Members debated the application on the issues including: the meadow on the site, the sustainability measures proposed, the sustainability of the location, the Stowupland Neighbourhood Plan, the Draft Joint Local Plan.
29.13 Councillor Dave Muller proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation. Councillor James Caston seconded the motion.
29.14 Members continued to debate the application on the issues including: the weighting of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Plan, the sustainability of the proposal, the location of the site outside the settlement boundary, and the public transport links in the area.
29.15 By 3 votes to 6 the motion was lost.
29.16 Councillor John Field proposed that the application be refused. Councillor Terence Carter seconded the motion.
29.17 A short adjournment was taken between 17:30-17:45 to clarify reasons for refusal with the Proposer and Seconder.
29.18 The Chief Planning Officer read out the proposal for refusal:
1. The proposal is not small scale development and lies outside the settlement boundaries of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019. The proposal would fail to deliver safe and suitable access for all persons to village services and facilities given its separation from those and its poor service by public transport failing to provide good access to wheelchair users. The proposal would be contrary to policies SNP1 and SNP14 of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019.
2. The proposal would fail to preserve and enhance the quality of the Local Green Space and its setting and would be contrary to policies SNP6 and SNP12 of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019.
3. And the authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to add such reasons to the decisions as he thinks fit.
29.19 The proposer and seconder agreed that this was the wording of the proposal for refusal.
29.19 By 6 votes to 0 with 3 abstentions.
29.20 RESOLVED
That the Application is refused for the following reasons:
1. The proposal is not small scale development and lies outside the settlement boundaries of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019. The proposal would fail to deliver safe and suitable access for all persons to village services and facilities given its separation from those and its poor service by public transport failing to provide good access to wheelchair users. The proposal would be contrary to policies SNP1 and SNP14 of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019.
2. The proposal would fail to preserve and enhance the quality of the Local Green Space and its setting and would be contrary to policies SNP6 and SNP12 of the Stowupland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019.
3. And the authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to add such reasons to the decisions as he thinks fit.
Supporting documents: