Minutes:
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 Councillor John Hinton.
RESOLVED
Officers to negotiate and return to Committee on the following points:
1. Improved market mix, including more bungalows;
2. More space around flats;
3. Pepper-potting of affordable housing;
4. Improved pathways (to allow for wheelchair use);
5. Boundary treatment to A137;
6. Environmental measures (such as solar panels and greywater use).
Supporting documents: