Agenda item

Outline planning application for a residential development comprising up to 65 dwellings with associated highway works, landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

Recommendation: to delegate the authority to grant outline planning permission to the head of planning, in consultation with the committee chairman and vice-chairman, subject to S106 agreements and conditions

The officer presented the report on an outline application for 65 dwellings on land south of Grove Road, Harwell.  The report set out the proposal, representations received following consultation, the policy position and planning guidance, and the site’s planning history. 

Updates to the report

The planning officer reported that since the publication of the report, the drainage engineer had removed his holding objection to the application, subject to conditions.  He also reported that the developer had agreed to contributions towards public transport, the Police, and upgrading facilities for the village. 

The planning officer recommended the committee to delegate authority to approve the application subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement.  He also recommended consulting the local members before approving the application. 

Public speaking

The chairman invited the public who had registered to speak to this application to address the committee. 

David Marsh spoke on behalf of Harwell Parish Council speaking in support of the application.  He believed that:

• the developer had carried out a good consultation, taking into account local people’s suggestions
• the parish council supported new housing in the village
• the developer had agreed to contribute to the renovation works at the village hall 

Julia Dionian spoke in objection to the application.  Her concerns included:

• the traffic speeding along Grove Road presented a danger to new residents at this site
• traffic calming was needed at the village entrance on Grove Road, together with a footpath to the village shops

Steven Neal, the applicant’s agent, spoke in favour of the application.  He believed:

• local people supported the application as they had been engaged through to the outline application stage
• the proposal included bungalows, it was a high quality design, and would result in a significant contribution to the village hall renovation works

Philip Wrigley spoke in favour of the application.  He believed:

• the village needed new housing
• the village hall needed renovating and he welcomed the developer’s contribution towards the renovation works

Councillor Margaret Turner, one of the local ward councillors, supported the application and the comments of the parish council.  Although she had highway safety concerns about Grove Road there was an alternative pedestrian access through Westfield.  Affordable housing would also benefit the village. 

Committee debate

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate, the discussion covered the following points:

• the developer and parish council were praised for working together to get the best out of the proposed development
• new housing and affordable housing were welcome in the village
• the officers should discuss with the applicants and the county council the need for additional traffic calming measures at the entrance to the village on Grove Road before the detailed application stage
• there was an alternative pedestrian access to the village centre, the primary school and other facilities through Westfield
• there should be an informative attached to the permission stating that affordable housing should be distributed through the site
• the head of planning should also consult local members before determining the application

RESOLVED (14 votes to nil)

to authorise the head of planning, in consultation with the committee chairman, vice-chairman and local members, to grant outline planning permission to application P13/V1040/0 subject to:

1.             the prior completion of a section 106 agreement within a deadline of three months to complete for on-site affordable housing provision, contributions towards off-site facilities and services including highway works, education improvements, waste management and collection, street naming and numbering, public art, library and museum services, social and health care, sports and recreation improvements, public transport provision and commuted sum for the maintenance of the public open space;

2.             the officers discussing with the applicants and the county council to agree additional traffic calming measures at the entrance to the village on Grove Road before the detailed application stage to be funded through the section 106 agreement;

3.             an informative attached to the permission stating that affordable housing should be distributed through the site; and

4.             the following conditions, including the requirement to commence development within one year of the date of the committee resolution to help address the immediate housing land shortfall:

1 : TL2 - Time limit Outline (12 months) Reserved Matters within 6 months

2 : Approved plans and documents.

3 : Submission of Reserved Matters - General

4 :UNI landscape

5 : LS4 trees

6 : Boundary Treatments

7 : Ecology – Works carried out in accordance with report from AAE.

8 : Drainage

9 : Construction traffic

10 : Travel info packs

11 : Access visibility

12 : Parking

13 : Materials

14 : Refuse bin storage

15 : Thames Water plc surface water condition

16 : Drainage - Thames Water

17 : Public Rights of Way – All works submitted in advance and agreed in writing.