Agenda item

The application was for the erection of a total of 110 dwellings (including affordable housing) with principal access off Queens Road and access serving 2 no. dwellings off Chatton Row together with internal roads, footways and car parking including garages, drainage, landscaping, open space and other associated works following demolition of the existing factory buildings and areas of hardstanding (Additional info recv'd 13/3/15).

Members were advised of the following updates:

One further letter of objection has been received. This does not raise any new or additional material considerations.

A consultation response has been received from Natural England and no objection is raised. Amendment to proposed conditions 3, 4, 8, 23 and 25 as detailed below:

3.    No development shall take place until written confirmation has been obtained from the LPA in agreement with Natural England that the applicant has secured a SANG in perpetuity (including its management plan); and no dwelling shall be occupied before written confirmation has been obtained from the LPA that the works required to bring the land up to acceptable SANG standard have been completed.

Reason: as originally drafted.

4.    Prior to any building works comprising the construction of dwellings the applicant shall have submitted to and have approved in writing (by the Local Planning Authority) a scheme to relocate the watercourse to the southern end of the site (on or off the site). The details to be submitted shall include the full details of the proposed design of the watercourse, a timetable for delivery and on-going maintenance.

Reason: as originally drafted.

8.    A minimum of 7 working days before any development, including any works of demolition or site clearance, a pre-commencement meeting must be arranged with the Arboricultural Officer. The purpose of this meeting is to agree the extent of any facilitation or management tree works, tree and ground protection, demolition, storage of materials and the extent and frequency of Arboricultural site supervision. In all other regards the development shall proceed in accordance with the supplied BS5837:2012 – Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction compliant report prepared by Pegasus Planning Group Limited [Mathew Reid] and dated 12 January 2015.

Reason: as originally drafted.

23. The garages to plots 46 and 47 shall be retained as garages and shall not be used for any other purpose other than for the parking of cars. In addition, notwithstanding the details shown on the approved plans a revised layout for these plots shall be submitted to, and approved (in writing) by the LPA prior to the development hereby approved commencing. The details to be submitted shall show how vehicles can turn on site such that it is demonstrated to the LPA, that vehicles can enter leave site in a forward gear.

Reason: as originally drafted.

25. No development approved by the permission shall be commenced until a scheme for the improvement of the existing sewerage system has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The scheme shall be implemented as approved. There shall be no occupation of any dwellings hereby approved until the approved improvement scheme has been completed. In the alternative, if subsequent investigations reveal that there is sufficient capacity within the existing network to accommodate the development hereby approved, written details of those subsequent investigations shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before any development commences on site.

Reason: as originally drafted Additional conditions

27.       The proposed vehicular access to plots 46 and 47 in Chatton Row including the associated new turning head shall all be designed and constructed and provided with visibility zones in accordance with the approved plans and details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once agreed the access and turning head shall be constructed in accordance with the agreed details prior to the first occupation of plots 46 and 47. The turning head shall be maintained for permanent uninterrupted use by users of Chatton Row, all to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. Any agreed visibility zones shall be kept permanently clear of any obstruction. Reason: In order that the development should not prejudice highway safety nor cause inconvenience to other highway users. They are also required to ensure that the development is able satisfy the Surrey Heath Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Document (2012) Policy DM11 and meet the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.

28.       Notwithstanding the approved plans, prior to the commencement of development the applicant shall provide written confirmation of that part of the south eastern boundary (adjacent to plots 46 and 53 to 63) which is to remain open to facilitate pedestrian    access across the common to bridleway 147. Reason: To provide a sustainable form of development and to accord with Policies DM11 and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.

The speakers in objection to the application urged Members to consider prohibiting all construction traffic from Chatton Row and the removal of the footpath/cycleway.

The local ward Member also urged Members to consider removing the footpath/cycle link and that the turning circle in Chatton Row was amended so that it would not block the drainage ditch.

Members agreed that the footpath and cycleway be removed from the scheme as illustrated in the applicant’s plan B. It was also agreed that an additional sentence (i) be added to condition 6, no burning on site during construction, the wording to be finalised by officers.

Resolved that application 15/0035 be approved as amended subject to the conditions as set out in the report of the Executive Head – Regulatory and receipt of a satisfactory legal agreement.

Note 1

It was noted for the record that:

i)                  Councillor Edward Hawkins had received a letter from the applicant.

ii)                Councillor David Mansfield knew people who worked at the site and had attended exhibitions held by Redrow Homes.  He did not give an opinion and made it clear he was a serving councillor.

Note 2

As this application triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Mr Swan and Ms Hadwick spoke in objection to the application and Mr Hutchinson, the agent, spoke in support.

Note 3

The recommendation to approve the application as amended was proposed by Councillor David Mansfield and seconded by Councillor Vivienne Chapman.

Note 4

In accordance with Part 4 Section D paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting in relation to this application was as follows:

Voting in favour of the recommendation to approve the application as amended:

Councillors David Allen, Richard Brooks, Vivienne Chapman, Colin Dougan, Surinder Gandhum, Edward Hawkins, David Mansfield, Ken Pedder, Ian Sams, Pat Tedder, Judi Trow, Valerie White.