Agenda item

Variation of conditions 1 (approved plans), 5 (car parking) and 6 (boundary details in accordance with specific plan) on application P18/V0744/RM.

Reserved Matters application following Outline Approval P16/V0652/O (as varied by application no. P17/V2884/FUL) for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale. Development of up to 88 dwellings including 40% affordable housing, landscaping and other associated works with all matters reserved with the exception of access.

The committee considered application P21/V0293/FUL for a variation of conditions 1 (approved plans), 5 (car parking) & 6 (boundary details in accordance with specific plan) on application P18/V0744/RM. Reserved Matters application following Outline Approval P16/V0652/O (as varied by application no. P17/V2884/FUL) for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale. Development of up to 88 dwellings including 40% affordable housing, landscaping and other associated works with all matters reserved with the exception of access) on land at Park Farm, East Challow.

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 site formed part of a wider area on which the council had permitted 88 dwellings and that development had commenced, with some dwellings completed and others under construction. This application would not increase the number of dwellings on the site and, if approved, would result in a cumulative decrease in floor space by some 109.4 sqm. The applicant had proposed changes in relation to eight approved house types within the scheme; there were no changes in the overall number of dwellings and all proposed house types were compliant with the ‘nationally described space standards’. The change in housing mix, if approved, would result in the loss of one 2-bedroom unit and a gain of one 5-bedroom unit.  There were also proposed adjustments to the boundaries of certain plots, resulting in one garage and parking space being re-located and a double garage being replaced with a single garage (its associated plot being reduced from 4-beds to 3). Also, some hardstanding between two plots would be replaced by green space. There were some minor adjustments to garden sizes, but it was emphasised that these revised areas continued to comply with policy guidance. The proposed changes were considered necessary to align more closely with present housing market demand. The planning officer advised the committee that these proposed changes would require alterations to the relevant proposed planning conditions (conditions 1, 5 and 6) and that the recommended revised wording was set out in appendix 1.

Mr. Nicholas Daruwalla, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He stated that the developer was most supportive of proposed condition 7, for ‘electric charging point for each dwelling with on plot parking’, which was beyond the council’s climate change requirements and would result in an improved application. In response to a question relating to reasons for the changes in housing mix, the applicant responded that at the present time the market required mid-sized housing, compared with executive style properties, as the latter category were taking longer to sell. Therefore, the changes should help to increase occupancy rates.

The democratic services officer had sent to the committee prior to the meeting a statement by Mr. Steve Gillott.

In response to a question regarding the relationship of this planning application and a possible future application, the planning officer displayed a plan depicting the extent of an alternative layout which might be completed, which could result in a different layout, but it was emphasised that the plot changes being considered in the application at this meeting would remain unchanged.

In response to a question regarding paragraph 1.9 of the report, which stated that ‘there would be an uplift of 11 dwellings on the Park Farm overall’, the planning officer stated that the committee were being requested to consider this application’s area only, and that a future undetermined application for an uplift of 10 dwellings, had the possibility of resulting in an uplift of 1 dwelling.

In response to a question regarding possible changes to the S.106 agreement to reflect the proposed changes to the housing mix, the planning officer reported that variations were permitted without the need for a new agreement, The alterations, which did not increase house numbers, would not have implications for increased traffic generation and therefore there would be no further mitigation required in respect of highways safety, and consequently no additional financial contribution would be required. With respect to a question regarding the number of 4-bedroom houses, the planning officer confirmed that this proposal was in line with the Strategic Housing Market Assessment for market housing. In response to a further question regarding paragraph 5.21 and Thames Water’s involvement, the planning officer reported that as that agency had signed off on the original application and that there was no proposed change to house numbers, there was no expectation of a response to the variation. 

The committee considered that the retention of the 40 percent affordable standard on this site was to be supported and that the minor changes to house types and plots would not affect residential amenity and would help with the quicker occupancy of the 20 affordable units. Additionally, the proposals for electric vehicle charging points and revised landscaping, incorporating additional street trees, were welcomed.

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

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P21/V0293/FUL subject to the following conditions:

1.       Approved plans

Pre-Commencement Conditions

2.       Surface and foul water drainage scheme to be agreed

Pre-Occupancy or Other Stage Conditions

3.       Landscaping implementation

4.       Road and footway construction to each dwelling to be provided before each occupation

5.       Parking and turning spaces for each dwelling to be provided prior to occupation of each plot

6.       Boundary treatments as approved plans

7.       Electric charging point for each dwelling with on plot parking

Post Occupancy Monitoring and Management Conditions

8.       Construction hours – 7.30 to 18.00 Monday to Friday 8.00 to 13.00 Saturday no works on Sunday or bank holidays

Informative

1.       Broadband provision