Agenda item

The application was for the erection of a three storey building comprising 6 x 1 bed affordable flats, with associated parking amenity space, cycle and bin storage, following demolition of existing garages and replacement of one garage for cycle/bin storage and replacement boundary walls. (Additional plans recv'd 06/11/2017). (Amended plan and additional plans recv'd 10/11/2017).

This application would normally have been determined under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation; however it was being reported to the Planning Applications Committee at the request of Cllr Edward Hawkins.

Members received the following updates on the application:

“A Member site visit was undertaken on 9January, attended by Cllr Edward Hawkins, Cllr Jonathan Lytle, Cllr Ian Sams and Cllr Pat Tedder.

SAMM payment has now been received.

Since the report was written, a further objection has been received which states the following:

·       That the arboricultural report is not evidentially based and cannot be relied upon [Officer comment: The Council’s Arboricultural Officer reviewed the report, and this objection and has no concerns about the report’s validity. The further comments raised by the objection do not change his conclusions.]

·       That the author acknowledges that tree pruning will have an impact on property value [Officer comment: Property value is not a planning issue]

·       Replacement of a 1-storey property with a 3-storey property will negatively impact on natural light [Officer comment: See section 7.5 of the report for assessment.]

·       Ecological report is not evidentially based and cannot be relied upon; ignored impact on flora and fauna, will affect wood doves and jays [Officer comment: Surrey Wildlife Trust raised no concerns as to the validity of the report, which was a detailed report compiled by qualified ecologists. There is an informative on the report regarding the bird nesting season and conditions for bird boxes and suitable species.]

·       There is no party wall agreement in place [Officer comment: Not a planning issue]

·       No serious consideration has been given to other planned developments including Deepcut and how these will better service the accommodation needs in the area [Officer comment: Surrey Heath does not have sufficient housing supply including other planned developments – see section 7.3 of the Officer’s Report]”.

It was agreed to amend the condition relating to a Construction Management Plan toensure safe deliveries of large vehicles outside of school hours.

The officer recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Councillor Colin Dougan, seconded by Councillor Jonathan Lytle, and put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED that application be approved, subject to a legal agreement and conditions, as amended.

Note 1

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

Voting in favour of the recommendation to approvethe application:

Councillors Nick Chambers, Mrs Vivienne Chapman, Colin Dougan, Edward Hawkins, Jonathan Lytle, David Mansfield, Max Nelson, Robin Perry, Ian Sams, Pat Tedder, Victoria Wheeler, and Valerie White.