Agenda item

Councillor Eddy Goldsmith had declared a personal interest in this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34, he remained in the meeting during its consideration.

Further to the report the Committee noted that the County Engineer had no objection in principle to the proposal, but had made recommendations to include the narrowing of the access, cycle storage and a financial contribution of £1,000 towards a bus shelter. 

It was reported that the Officers had considered the provision of a gate as suggested by the Police Crime Prevention Design Adviser, but because the gate would have to be “set in” the Officers did not support the proposal.  However, the Officers did support the provision of railings as recommended by the Advisor.

It was noted that the whole site was being proposed as affordable housing subject to funding being available.  If the funding was not available only 5 units (19%) would be provided for rent.  This was under the Local Plan 25% threshold.  However, the Housing Officers considered this acceptable as this provision would help to meet the need for rented housing in the area.  The rest of the site would be market units.

The Committee was advised that should it be minded to approve the application, additional conditions should be added to any permission to address access; parking; cycle storage; materials; landscaping; boundary treatment to include railings to the front of the development to address the Consultant Architect’s comments; contaminated land; drainage; slab levels; affordable housing; amended plans and a financial contribution to the public transport infrastructure.

Mr Neddelkoff the applicant’s agent made a statement in support of the application commenting that the revised scheme would provide a frontage similar to other frontages in Wantage.  The number of units had been reduced and therefore the scheme could accommodate more car parking.  Finally, he advised that the height was similar to the houses opposite which the Town Council had considered acceptable.

One Member expressed concern regarding the roofing and height of the development.  He reported that the applicant had met with members of the Town Council’s Planning Committee to discuss the proposals and had been obliging in meeting the concerns raised.  The Town Council had considered that the building needed softening.  The revised plans did not meet all the concerns, but the Town Council considered the proposal more acceptable in view of what had been done to modify the scheme to meet the concerns raised; the site was a brown field site, and if funding was secured, affordable housing would be provided. 

One Member commented that this proposal would result in a prominent building but it would sit very well within the area and much needed affordable housing would be provided.

In response to a question raised regarding the justification for agreeing under 25% provision of affordable housing, the Officers explained that advice from Housing Services was that the primary need was for rental housing.

Other Members supported the application commenting that the revised design was an improvement and it would fit in well in this area. 

In response to comments made, the Officers clarified the windows which would overlook different areas of the development, particularly the car parking areas to provide natural surveillance, an issue raised by the Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor.  It was also considered that an additional condition could be added to any permission to require revised fenestration details having regard to the comments of the Consultant Architect.

By 16 votes to nil it was

RESOLVED

that the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair and / or Vice-Chair of the Development Control Committee be delegated authority to approve application WAN/906/6 subject to: -

(i)         conditions to address access; parking; cycle storage; materials; landscaping; boundary treatment; contaminated land; drainage; slab levels; affordable housing; amended plans and revised fenestration; and

(ii)        a financial contribution to the public transport infrastructure.