Minutes:
17.1 Item A
Application DC/20/01677
Proposal Outline Planning Application (access to be considered, all other matters reserved) – Site remediation works (Phase 1) and the erection of up to 65 dwellings with the safeguarding of land for the potential future delivery of a relief road, public open space and associated landscaping (Phase 2)
Site Location ELMSWELL – Land to the West of the Former Bacon Factory, Elmswell
Applicant Harrow Estates Plc
17.2 The Chief Planning Officer advised Members that Officers had obtained advise from Counsel regarding the application.
17.3 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the previous resolution from 05 August 2020, and the officer recommendation of approval.
17.4 The Case Officer and the Chief Planning Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the Council’s Planning Policies and the public transport links.
17.5 Members considered the representation from Ward Members Councillor Sarah Mansel and Councillor Helen Geake, who spoke against the application.
17.6 Members debated the application on the issues including: the provision and location of Primary Schools, planning policies, and sustainability of the site.
17.7 The Planning Lawyer provided confirmation that the details of the applicants’ Counsel advice was publicly available.
17.8 Members continued to debate the application on issues including the primary schools in the area and access to the site.
17.9 Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation. Councillor James Caston seconded the motion.
17.10 Members continued to debate the application on issues including: accessibility, and the proposed cycle link.
17.11 The Case Officer provided clarification to Members regarding the provision of the cycle link.
17.12 By 5 votes to 3.
17.13 RESOLVED
That authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to GRANT outline planning permission subject to:
(1) Subject to the prior agreement of a Section 106 Planning Obligation on appropriate terms to the satisfaction of the Chief Planning Officer to secure:
· Affordable Housing at a policy compliant level. This equates to 22 units being delivered on site with mix to be agreed at reserved matters stage;
· Contributions towards Suffolk County Council for the provision of pre-school and primary education;
· Contribution for the provision of a footway/cycleway linking Elmswell and Woolpit;
· Potentially secure contributions upgrading of bus stops, if not secured within a Section 278 Agreement and required travel planning; and
· To secure the ongoing management and maintenance of open space and play areas.
(2) That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to GRANT Planning Permission upon completion of the legal agreement subject to conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:
· Time limit for submission of reserved matters and for commencement;
· Reserved matters application to provide details of appearance, layout, scale and landscaping;
· Approved plans; · Requirement for reserved matters to come forward in general conformity with the submitted plans;
· Construction method statement to secure detail of site operation; · Reserved matters application to demonstrate sufficient noise insulation/mitigation for residential dwellings and amenity space;
· Land contamination remediation strategy as required by Environment Agency;
· Provision of fire hydrants;
· Sustainability and energy efficiency details;
· Landscape and ecology management plan;
· Biodiversity enhancement strategy;
· Biodiversity method statement;
· Wildlife sensitive lighting scheme;
· Details of estate roads and footpaths, including levels, layout, gradient, surfacing and means of discharging surface water;
· Provision of roads and footpaths prior to occupation of a given dwelling;
· Travel plan;
· HGV routing during construction;
· Details of surface water drainage scheme; and
· Details of foul water drainage scheme.
(3) And the following informative notes as summarised and those as may be deemed necessary:
· Pro-active working statement;
· Highways note; and
· Land contamination note.
(4) That in the event of the Planning obligations or requirements referred to in Resolution (1) above not being secured and/or not secured within 6 months that the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to refuse the application on appropriate grounds.
Supporting documents: