Agenda item

158 residential dwellings, open space, a new access off Drayton Road (to include the removal of 7 Tree Preservation Ordered Lime Trees), engineering works, infrastructure works, car parking and lighting.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P14/V1196/FUL for 158 dwellings, open space, a new access off Drayton Road (to include the removal of 7 Tree Preservation Ordered Lime Trees), engineering works, infrastructure works, car parking and lighting on land East of Drayton Road, Abingdon.

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.

Jim Halliday, an adjacent ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         The impact of traffic and air quality; and

·         A suggestion to install the proposed pedestrian crossings and monitor prior to consideration.

Alice Badcock, a representative of Abingdon Town Council, spoke objecting to the application. Her concerns included the following:

·         Concern that up-to-date objections from 5 December 2014 had not been published;

·         Overlooking on the Virginia Road side;

·         The proposal is out of keeping with the area;

·         Uncertainty about the proposed traffic mitigation measures;

·         Suggestion to put these in place and review in six months;

·         The pumping station floods gardens in Virginia Way; and

·         Traffic safety regarding the bus stop directly opposite the site.

Janet Moreton, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application. Her concerns included the impact of the increase in cars on congestion.

Neil Fawcett, a County Councillor, spoke objecting to the application; he suggested seeing if the traffic mitigation proposals work first.

Anthea Norman-Taylor, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application, her concerns were about the quality of evidence concerning the ecological impact of the proposal.

Andy Cattermole, the agent, spoke in support of the application. His speech referred to the following:

·         The applicant has extant planning permission and can therefore be implemented;

·         The applicant has worked with officers to improve the scheme;

·         The Highways and traffic impact will be less than the already approved scheme; and

·         They will commit to delivering the pedestrian crossings at the earliest opportunity.

Aidan Melville, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         The traffic is already critical on Drayton Road and within Abingdon;

·         The strain on local amenities; and

·         The proposed pedestrian crossings are for safety not traffic calming.

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

·         The potential for the pedestrian crossings being installed and monitored prior to development;

·         Concerns that Abingdon Town Council’s latest comments had not been published on the website – officers advised that they had;

·         Possible to refer to the Chair if there are new material considerations.

 RESOLVED (for 7; against 5; abstentions 1)

To authorise the head of planning in consultation with the chairman to grant planning permission for application P14/V1196/FUL subject to:

      i.        Completion of section 106 agreements with the district council and county council to secure affordable housing and financial contributions to necessary off-site infrastructure.

    ii.        Conditions as follows:

1.    Commencement three years - full planning permission.

2.    Approved plans.

3.    Materials as approved.

4.    LS2 – Implementation of approved landscaping.

5.    LS4 – Implementation of approved tree protection.

6.    RE8 – Boundary treatments.

7.    HY3 – New access in accordance with approved plan.

8.    HY9 – Car parking in accordance with approved plan.

9.    HY13 – Estate road prior to occupation of dwellings.

10. Construction traffic management plan.

11. Bin storage as on approved plan.

12. Scheme for electric charging points to be submitted and agreed.

13. MC25 – Surface water drainage in accordance with approved strategy.

14. MC26 – Foul drainage scheme to be approved and implemented prior to first occupation.

15. No development shall take place until the approved highway works relating to the pedestrian crossings in Marcham Road and Ock Street have been implemented.

16. Prior to commencement of development a mitigation strategy for bats shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved strategy.

17. Prior to the first occupation of the development a lighting strategy for bats using the site shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. No external lighting shall be installed other than in accordance with the approved lighting strategy.

18. Prior to commencement of development a mitigation strategy for badgers shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved strategy.

19. CN11 – Scheme of archaeological investigation.

20. CN12 – Implementation of archaeological investigation/recording.