Agenda and minutes

The Chairman announced that addendum reports would no longer be published if information was received after the publication of the agenda.

The officer confirmed that information would now be provided in the form of a verbal update.

To record apologies for absence and the attendance of substitute members. 

Apologies were received from Catherine Webber.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive notification of any matters which the chairman determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent. 

There was no urgent business.

To receive any statements from members of the public that have registered to speak on planning applications which are being presented to this committee meeting. 

The list showing members of the public who had registered to speak was tabled at the meeting.

Variation of Conditions 9, 10, 11 and 15 and removal of Condition 8 of P16/V0652/O.

The committee considered application P17/V2884/FUL to vary Conditions 9, 10, 11 and 15 and remove Condition 8 of application P16/V0652/O.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Officer update: further representations received from four local residents and a letter from the applicant’s agent were summarised at the meeting.

Liz Gillott, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application. 

Susie Hartas, a representative of the applicant, Crest Nicholson, spoke in support of the application.

Chris Elliot, a highway consultant from Vectos, was available to answer questions of clarification from the committee.

Yvonne Constance, one of the local ward councillors, spoke objecting to the application. 

In response to questions raised by the committee, the officers reported that:

·         Whilst the outline application P16/V0652/O approved a roundabout on the A417 to provide access to the site, it is not a case of comparing merits of that scheme with that now proposed.  The application for a staggered priority junction had to be considered on its individual merits;

·         A roundabout must be on a relatively flat surface, the gradient of the A417 at the proposed junction is unsuitable and extensive work and disruption on the A417 could be caused;

·         Amending the proposed Condition 10 to a Grampian type condition could be done which would require the applicant to complete the construction of the proposed staggered priority junction before any dwelling, rather than before first occupation as detailed in proposed Condition 10; and

·         Concerns raised by committee regarding vehicle speeding could be further alleviated by a reduction in the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph as required by the outline permission, footway lighting improvements, a signalised crossing and traffic calming measures such as a ‘gateway feature’.  Conditions could be added regarding a scheme of traffic calming measures and a signalised crossing as opposed to a zebra crossing.

The committee agreed that more needed to be done to allay concerns regarding traffic speeding along the A417, despite the traffic study carried out by the applicant.  Concerns could be mitigated by the implementation of traffic calming measures, a signalised pedestrian crossing rather than a zebra crossing, and the amendment of Condition 10 to be a Grampian type condition requiring construction of the staggered priority junction prior to commencement of any dwelling.

A motion, moved and seconded, to delegate authority to grant planning permission to the head of planning, with the following amendments to conditions, was declared carried on being put to the vote:

·         Recommended amendment to Condition 10 to a Grampian type condition to require the proposed staggered priority junction to be constructed before any dwelling rather than before occupation of the first dwelling;

·         The addition of a condition requiring traffic calming to be agreed by the local planning authority; and

·         A condition to change the zebra crossing agreed at the outline stage of the application to a signalised crossing.

RESOLVED: to delegate authority to grant planning permission for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149.