Agenda item

Reserved Matters Application (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout, Scale) - Residential development for erection of 425 dwellings within 3 phases of the North Abingdon Development: Western Parcel Area A & B and Central Parcel Area A. Associated landscaping and infrastructure works together with additional details as required by conditions attached to outline planning permission (Ref: P17/V0050/O)(as amended by drawings and information received 21 December 2020).

Councillor Diana Lugova encountered technical communication problems during the presentation of this item. The councillor was unable to participate in or hear the whole debate and did not vote on this application.

The committee considered application P19/V1998/RM in respect of reserved matters application (appearance, landscaping, layout, scale) - residential development for erection of 425 dwellings within 3 phases of the North Abingdon Development: Western Parcel Area A & B and Central Parcel Area A. Associated landscaping and infrastructure works together with additional details as required by conditions attached to outline planning permission (Ref: P17/V0050/O) (as amended by drawings and information received 21 December 2020) on Land North of Dunmore Road, Abingdon.

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 the meeting.

The planning officer reported that the application sought approval of reserved matters for 425 dwellings across three parcels of land in the north Abingdon strategic housing site. Reserved matters for consideration were appearance, layout landscaping and scale. Outline planning permission had been granted in 2017 for up to 950 dwellings and associated infrastructure.  Some objections had been raised, contending that the housing mix was not in accordance with the council’s strategic housing market assessment (SHMA) nor the housing mix agreed at outline stage. The planning officer displayed a slide depicting the revised mix and location of affordable housing, which was now acceptable to the housing officer.

The planning officer also reported on the scale and appearance of the proposed development, stating that these aspects reflected elements of traditional architectural features as well as providing characteristics of modern and contemporary architecture. The palette of proposed materials included both traditional and contemporary building materials. These features would fit in well with the existing built form of Dunmore Road.  Landscaping proposals placed an emphasis on walking and cycling; a number of linear green urban spaces, varying in scale, and all areas of public open space, would be readily accessible by walking and cycle routes, with secure cycle parking proposed at the play areas. In order to minimise the visual impact of new development, additional areas of buffer planting would be provided to reinforce the existing woodland blocks and hedgerow corridors.  The committee was also advised, with the assistance of a slide illustration, that approximately 25m of the green corridor along the A34 road would consist of a suitable acoustic bund, which would be “softened” by additional woodland planting, providing an informal, linear public open space.

Georgina Naish, the agent, spoke in support of the application. A statement by the agent’s company, David Wilson Homes South, was sent to the committee by the democratic services officer prior to the meeting.

In response to a question regarding the positioning of certain categories of housing adjacent to the acoustic bund, the agent reported that the split would be 50:50 between affordable and private housing.

In response to a question regarding water capture systems, and heating, the agent replied that some of the larger dwellings would incorporate a waste water heat recovery system.

In response to a question regarding bringing forward the installation of the children’s play area, the agent reported that its delivery would be in accordance with the s106 agreement, namely at the point of 75% occupation. In response to a question regarding adequate highway access points to the development, the agent responded that the developer would be adhering to the principles of the s.106 agreement, agreed at outline stage, and would be delivering access places according to the number of houses completed per phase. On a related question regarding public rights of way, the agent confirmed that the link to north Abingdon and Sunningwell would be safeguarded via a planning condition, which would require that the public rights of way would be kept open and uninterrupted during the construction stage, probably involving temporary diversions. The committee concurred that connectivity and permeability between all roads and public rights of way would be an important feature of the development.

In response to a question regarding electric vehicle charging points, the agent replied that the intention was for all dwellings with garages to be so installed. It was also expected that there would be a satisfactory balance between affordable housing and private housing each having this treatment. On a related issue, it was intended that 10% of the dwellings would have all energy delivered via solar panels.

In response to a further question regarding the provision of allotment space, the agent responded that there was no such provision allocated to the block of dwellings which was the subject of this application, but that within the wider development of 950 houses, allotments would be delivered.

The committee expressed concerns at the apparent lack of medical provision at the development and the lack of engagement by the clinical commissioning group. Responding to a general question regarding infrastructure, such as medical facilities, dentistry and schools, the agent reported that there were no such services connected with this application, but that for the full 950 households, significant infrastructure would be in place in good time.

The committee was concerned about possible drainage and flooding difficulties in connection with the development. The planning officer advised the committee that some of the proposed conditions and an informative covered these issues and that the applicant had agreed to a sustainable drainage scheme (SUDS) which would be subject to the council’s drainage team’s approval.

In response to question regarding flood risk at the Lodge Hill slip roads, the Oxfordshire County Council representative reported that remedial works had been approved by Highways England in late 2020, works would commence in 2022, with the improved roads being operational in 2023. 

The committee requested further information regarding the level of affordable housing and intended play areas. The planning officer reported that the housing team was satisfied with the location and design elements of the proposed housing mix. The housing met all amenity and housing standards contained in the local plan. In addition, for Dunmore Road residents, dwellings would benefit form double glazing and planting on the bund. Also, there was adequate space for play areas in three parcels of land. The landscape officer was satisfied with the type and location of the proposed play equipment.

Councillor Andy Foulsham, a local ward councillor, spoke to the application.

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P19/V1998/RM, for the following reasons;

1.      Approved plans

Pre-Commencement Conditions

2.           Submission of Arboricultural Method Statement

Pre-Occupancy or Other Stage Conditions

3.       Parking provision before occupancy of each dwelling

4.       Acoustic bund: submission of geotechnical details

5.       Acoustic bund: full details of drainage and its location

6.       Submission of detailed noise mitigation scheme

7.       Detailed planting scheme to be approved

8.       On-plot landscape details to be approved

9.       Details of children’s’ play areas to be approved

10.      Updated landscape management plan to be approved

11.      Maintenance plan for open space and play areas to be approved

12.      Lodge Hill Park Area: design and footpath location to be approved

13.      Boundary Treatments to be approved

14.      Submission of the verification report for the installed surface water drainage system

15.      Detailed lighting scheme to be approved

16.      PV scheme to be approved

Post Occupancy Monitoring and Management Conditions

17.      Implementation of landscaping

18.      Garage retention for parking

19.      Entrance feature walls

Informatives

1.       Landscape: proposed species

2.       Woodland Management Plan

3.       Public highway works

4.       Thames Water