Agenda item

The officer presented the report on an application to develop 18 dwellings with garages, access road, associated works and public open space and a detention basin.  (Re-submission of withdrawn application P12/V2447/FUL.) Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history are detailed in the officer’s report which forms part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Updates from the report

·           The county highways engineer had withdrawn his holding objection due to improvements made to the application.

·           There had been one further letter of objection in response to amendments made to plot 8: this objection had come from the neighbour.

·           This will lead to a 16 percent increase in the population size in village, including this site and the two already given approval.

David Walton, from Marcham Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·           Dangerous road access to site.

·           Increased flooding risk to several existing properties.

·           Proposed materials not suitable to site.

·           Damage to “rural feel” of south side of the village.

·           If approved, the zebra crossing by The Crown should be upgraded to a pelican crossing with s106 monies.

·           Loss of amenity.

·           Overshadowing of existing buildings.

Stuart Capel, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·           The A145 road is already very busy and the application, if granted, could make the highways more dangerous.

·           Facilities are all north of the A415 road, whereas this development would be south of the road.

·           Potential sewage problems.

Huw Mellor (Kemp & Kemp), the applicant’s agent, spoke in favour of the application. His speech included the following:

·           The previous scheme had been withdrawn due to objections from the conservation officer, who was content with this new scheme.

·           The scheme is deliverable within the time frame.

Councillor Catherine Webber, the ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application. The points she raised included the following:

·           She supported the parish council’s objections.

·           Traffic issues: the S bend on the A415 in Marcham is dangerous.

·           There are air quality issues in Marcham which will be made worse by increased traffic.

The committee considered this application.

The area around the A415 in Marcham is not in an Air Quality Management Area.

·           The committee was concerned about access to and from the site, but accepted the highways officer’s advice that it would be adequate.

·           The local member should be included in the delegation.

·           There should be a materials panel on site. Materials to be determined by the committee and the local member.

RESOLVED (for 8; against 4; abstentions 2)

To delegate the authority to grant planning permission to the head of planning, in consultation with the chairman, vice-chairman and the local member, subject to the following:

Completion within the planning performance agreement (PPA) target of section 106 agreements for on-site affordable housing provision, on site open space provision, contributions towards off-site facilities and services including highways works, education improvements, waste management and collection, street names signs, public art, library and museum service, social and health care, local and area hub recreational and community facility improvements.

The following conditions, including the requirement for the commencement of development within 12 months from the date of the issue of planning permission to help address the immediate housing land shortfall:

1.         Time limit.

2.         Approved plans.

3.         MC2 - Materials (samples).

4.         Access, parking / turning & off site works in accordance with plans.

5.         HY12 New estate roads.

6.         Landscaping scheme.

7.         Open space management plan.

8.         LS4 - tree protection.

9.         Drainage details (surface and foul).

10.      Sustainable drainage scheme.

11.      Works in accordance with flood risk assessment.

12.      Boundary details.

13.      RE5 - Restriction on fences/walls.

14.      RE11 - Garage accommodation.

15.      Restrction on new openings.

16.      Archaeology.

17.      Materials: panel on site. To be determined by the committee plus the local member.

If the required section 106 agreements are not completed in a timely manner and so planning permission cannot be granted by the PPA determination deadline, to authorise the head of planning, in consultation with the chairman and vice chairman to refuse planning permission.