Agenda item

Demolition of existing agricultural buildings and a new residential development of 57 dwellings, together with a new vehicular access on to Abingdon Road, new pedestrian and cycle accesses on to Abingdon Road, Henleys Lane and Gravel Lane and public open space including a new village green and associated landscaping.

Councillor Stuart Davenport, the local ward councillor, stepped down from this item and took no part in the debate or voting for this item.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P16/V1705/FUL for the demolition of existing agricultural buildings and construction a new residential development of 57 dwellings, together with a new vehicular access on to Abingdon Road, new pedestrian and cycle accesses on to Abingdon Road, Henleys Lane and Gravel Lane and public open space including a new village green and associated landscaping.

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.

Richard Williams, of Drayton Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application.  His points included the following:

·         Any development consisting of two- to three-storey buildings cannot enhance the conservation area.

·         There should be a reduction in the number of houses in the proposed development and more of a balance in favour of green space.

·         The development will harm the rural character and the Drayton conservation area.

Questions of clarification were put to the speaker, who added:

·         Drayton Parish Council suggested the removal of at least one house from the development.

Daniel Scharf and Richard Wade spoke in objection to the application.  Their points included the following:

·         The Drayton Neighbourhood Plan allows for approximately 50 houses and that the housing reflects the rural area.

·         Impact would be reduced by removing dwellings 52, 55, 56 and 57.

·         64% of the open area will be taken.

·         The conservation area will be harmed.

Questions of clarification were put to the speaker, who added:

·         It was reasonable to request that two houses be removed from the plan.  This would still be over the approximate figure of 50, however.

Mike Robinson, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  His points included the following:

·         The applicant has worked closely with the parish council.

·         Large accessible green space will act as a focal point for the village.

·         There have been no technical objections made by statutory consultees.

·         The development offers the opportunity for wider benefits for the village.  Funds have been provided for village facilities such as sports facilities and refurbishment of the village hall.

·         The site is well-designed.

Questions of clarification were put to the speaker, who confirmed that:

·         Compromise has already been reached with the parish council to reduce the scale of the site.

Councillor Stuart Davenport, the ward councillor, spoke in objection to the application.  His points included the following:

·         The original plan stated approximately 50 homes.  57 may not sound like a large increase, but it would be.

·         More cooperation is needed.  There is a need to defer this item to remove the houses mentioned.

Questions of clarification were put to the speaker, who added:

·         The removal of houses would not lead to dead space.  Instead, it would increase the buffer, improve the overall design and open up more green space.

The committee discussed the application, with clarification from officers where appropriate.  It was noted that it was encouraging to see that discussions had taken place between the developer and the parish council, the focus was on good design rather than the exact number of housing units and that the current proposal was acceptable.

A motion, moved and seconded, to authorise the head of planning to grant planning permission with conditions was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to authorise the head of planning to grant planning permission for application P16/V1705/FUL subject to:

·         A Section 106 legal agreement being entered into to secure financial contributions, affordable housing and open space provision; and

·         The following planning conditions:

1. Car parking in accordance with approved plans.
2. Bin and cycle storage provision in accordance with approved plans.
3. No occupation until roads and footpaths provided for each respective dwelling.
4. Travel plan statement.
5. Car parking in accordance with approved plans.
6. Bin and cycle storage provision in accordance with approved plans.
7. No occupation until roads and footpaths provided for each respective dwelling.
8. Travel plan statement.
9. Travel information pack.
10. Garage accommodation to be retained.
11. Scheme of archaeological Investigation.
12. Programme of archaeological evaluation and mitigation.
13. No development to commence until a detailed scheme for the surface water drainage of the development, developed in accordance with the submitted flood risk assessment and as part of a sustainable urban drainage system, has been approved.
14. No development to commence until a foul water drainage strategy detailing all on-site drainage works, has been approved.
15. No development to commence until a foul water drainage strategy detailing all required off-site drainage works, has been approved.
16. Tree protection details.
17. Tree pit construction details to be approved.
18. Hard and soft landscape scheme to be approved.
19. Landscape maintenance for five years.
20. Maintenance plan for open space to be approved.
21. Boundary details to be approved.
22. Development in accordance with ecological assesssment recommendations.
23. Biodiversity enhancement strategy to be approved.
24. Electric charging points to be provided for each market unit.
25. Contaminated land investigation.
26. Acoustic mitigation in accordance with noise assessment recommendations.

Prior to the conclusion of this item, at 20:55, the committee agreed, in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Planning Committee procedure rules, to continue the meeting for a further period not exceeding 30 minutes.

Councillor Bob Johnston left the meeting at 21:00.

Councillor Stuart Davenport, the local ward councillor, re-joined the committee.