Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Construction of infrastructure road network, attenuation basins, substation and emergency/construction access.

RESOLVED: That application 19/03032/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 25 seconds

Councillor Tony Hunter advised that he would be making a declaration of interest in both Item 5 and Item 6 following the presentation of the Principle Planning Officer.

The Principle Planning Officer had no updates on the report to advise.

The Principle Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 19/03032/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Ruth Brown

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised:

·         The new pedestrian crossing was included within the boundaries of this application, but had been previously approved.

·         There would be further discussions and agreement at a later stage regarding the prevention of traffic through the emergency access point.

Councillor Tony Hunter advised that he had a declaration of interest in the application, as he had previously spoken in depth against the outline planning application. He noted that his objections relating to single vehicle access had now been addressed, but stated that there were issues relating to trees, wildlife and building height which concerned him.

Councillor Tony Hunter left the meeting. 

The Chair invited Leigh Carpenter to speak against the application.

Leigh Carpenter thanked the Chair for the chance to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation including:

·         He was a representative of several local residents who had objected to the applications.

·         There has been no communication or noted amendments to application following the consistent objections made.

·         There were concerns regarding the powerline and whether this would be underground.

·         An updated agriculture report and tree condition survey documents were included initially, but disappeared from the website in February 2021 without explanation.

The Chair invited Councillor Adam Compton to speak against the application as a Member advocate. Councillor Adam Compton thanked the Chair for the chance to address the Committee and indicated that he would respond to the Item 5 when taken.

The Chair invited David Fletcher to speak in support of the application, as agent of the applicant. David Fletcher thanks the Chair for the change to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation including:

·         The application had been devised with input from NHDC Officers, as well as Highways Authority and the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).

·         Western access for construction vehicles was vital to ensure that residents moving into dwellings in Phase 1 were provided a peaceful environment while the rest of the site was developed.

·         Suggested that the 40MPH speed limit imposed on entry to Royston be extended west.

·         Tree protection measures were employed at locations across the site.  

·         Collapsible bollards would prevent traffic travelling through the emergency access, outlined in Condition 5.

·         Confirmed that discussions were in an advanced phase with UK Power Networks regarding putting the powerline underground.

The following Member asked questions:

·         Councillor David Levett

In response to questions, David Fletcher advised that it was correct that the power line formed the site boundary of Phase 1. 

Following the presentations, Councillor David Levett proposed and Councillor Morgan Derbyshire seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That application 19/03032/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.