Agenda item

RESOLVED: That application 23/02650/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the addition of Condition 20 to read:

 

“Condition 20:

 

Prior to the first occupation of the first dwelling a scheme of sustainability measures for all the dwellings is to be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority and implemented on site.

 

Reason: To address the climate emergency in accordance with Local Plan Policy D1.”

Audio recording – 1 hour 38 minutes 32 seconds

 

N.B. Councillor Mick Debenham declared an interest and left the Council Chamber at 21:09.

 

The Chair advised that Councillor Peace was to speak as a Member Advocate against this item and would therefore move to the public gallery and not take part in the debate or vote.

 

N.B. Councillor Louise Peace moved to the public gallery at 21:10.

 

The Development Management Team Leader provided an update that:

 

·       A supplement had been published correcting errors on the report.

·       The agent had emailed a statement for the Committee which had been published on the 15 February 2024.

The Locum Planning Lawyer stated that the email from the agent was to be disregarded as it was submitted late.

 

The Development Management Team Leader presented the report in respect of application 23/02650/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

 

The following Members asked points of clarification:

 

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

In response to the points of clarification the Development Management Team Leader stated that:

 

·       The had been objections from neighbours regarding the felling of a lime tree as stated under policy 4.3.19 of the emerging Ickleford Neighbourhood Plan however previous applications had allowed the felling of this tree.

·       There were still live applications granted for this site, including an application for 5 dwellings.

·       PV panelling was not included in the application but could be added as a condition.

·       Policy D1 would cover the addition of a new condition for an environmental management condition which could include PV panels, air pumps and renewable energy.

The Locum Planning Lawyer clarified that any new conditions would need a valid reason.

 

The Chair invited Parish Councillor Phillip Crowe to speak against the application. Councillor Crowe thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

 

·       Ickleford did not need any new developments, planning had recently been granted for 40 new dwellings as well as a development at Turnpike Lane as agreed in the Local Plan.

·       There were concerns regarding the lack of pavement in front of the development, which would be hazardous to pedestrians.

·       There was no provision for visitor parking on the site.

·       The sewerage system in Ickleford was Victorian and not sufficient for water deluges. 

·       Four years ago the land had been cleared in preparation of a development, this land had now been reclaimed by wildlife.

·       The development was not in keeping with the rural area.

·       The residents objected to this development.

In response to a point of clarification from Councillor Tom Tyson, Councillor Crowe confirmed that there was only a footpath on the opposite side of the road to the development.

 

The Chair thanked Councillor Crowe for his presentation and invited Mrs Kate Sargent to speak against the application. Mrs Sargent thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

 

·       This was the fourth application on this site.

·       Ickleford did not have any further housing needs.

·       The application was supported by Officers to prevent expensive legal fees from an appeal.

·       There were concerns for the local heritage assets.

·       The application highlighted the weaknesses of the Planning systems.

In response to a point of clarification from Councillor Daniel Allen, Mrs Sargent stated that the law should be applied fairly to this decision.

 

The Chair thanked Mrs Sargent for her presentation and invited Councillor Louise Peace to speak against the application. Councillor Peace thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

 

·       This application was for 8 dwellings, previous applications on this site had been for 5 detached, 4 bedroom dwellings, this application was for 2 detached, 4 bedroom dwellings and 6 semidetached, 3 bedroom dwellings.

·       The previous application on this site had been decided on appeal.

·       This was the first application since the adoption of the Local Plan and the Ickleford Neighbourhood Plan.

·       The applicant had not demonstrated a 10% biodiversity net gain on the site, the site had been previously cleared and wildlife had now returned.

·       A mature tree would need to be felled for this application.

·       Ickleford required smaller houses, whilst this application was an improvement on the previous applications, 1-3 bedroom, dwellings were required not 4.

·       The 3 bedroomed dwellings were too high and did not comply with Policy SD3 of the Ickleford Neighbourhood plan.

·       The planned dwellings were too big for the site.

·       There were no solar panel on the site.

·       There was an emerging Ickleford Neighbourhood Plan, and this application did not meet the planning policy of that plan.

·       Outline planning permission had already been granted for 72 new homes in Ickleford.

·       There was no s106 money from this development.

In response to a question from Councillor Simon Bloxham, Councillor Peace stated that the application would not generate any s106 money and a pedestrian crossing on the Bedford Road was required for the Village.

 

The Chair thanked Councillor Peace for her presentation.

 

In response to points raised the Development Management Team Leader stated that:

 

·       There was already an ecological condition for this application.

·       The roof height had been slightly raised and a similar height had been accepted by previous application. It was deemed that the increases would not be noticeable.

In response to a question from Councillor Daniel Allen the Development Management Team Leader stated that the Local Plan did not have a 10% biodiversity net gain requirement however, the emerging Ickleford Neighbourhood Plan did have that requirement, and this would be considered for any applications received after April 2024.

 

Councillor David Levett proposed the application with the additional condition and Councillor Ian Mantle seconded.

 

The Chair confirmed that the wording of the new condition would be delegated to the Development Management Team Leader and would state prior to first occupation.

 

Having been proposed and seconded and following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That application 23/02650/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, with the addition of Condition 20 to read:

 

“Condition 20:

Prior to the first occupation of the first dwelling a scheme of sustainability measures for all the dwellings is to be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority and implemented on site.

 

Reason: To address the climate emergency in accordance with Local Plan Policy D1.”