Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor Roger Powell and Councillor Michael Tye attended as substitute.

The Chair invited those who wished to do so to declare interests in respect of items on the agenda.

Councillor Bert Jackson declared that he had visited both of the sites on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Area Planning Committee Thrapston held on 8 June 2022 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Reserved matters application for design, parking and landscaping for the Extra Care facility comprising of 65no apartments, communal and support facilities pursuant to 19/01355/OUT – Outline planning permission for the erection of up to 65 dwellings and an extra care facility of up to 65 units on land at St Christopher’s Drive, Oundle (All matters reserved except access).

Recommendation: That reserved matters approval is not granted until the Lead Local Flood Authority has given its advice

The Committee considered a reserved matters application for approval of design, parking, layout and landscaping for the Extra Care facility comprising of 65no apartments, communal and support facilities pursuant to 19/01355/OUT - Outline planning application for the erection of up to 65 dwellings and an extra care facility of up to 65 units on land at St Christopher's Drive, Oundle, (All matters reserved except access).

The Senior Development Management Officer presented the report which detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal, providing full and comprehensive details.

It was recommended that planning permission not be granted until the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) had given its advice.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Tony Robinson, an objector; Councillor Rupert Reichhold on behalf of Oundle Town Council; Councillor Charlie Best, a Ward Member; Peter Smith, the Applicant and Stuart Liles, the agent and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Mr Robinson addressed the Committee and stated that this was a monstrous building in the wrong location.  It was not in keeping with the existing area and being three stories would overlook properties on St Christopher’s Drive.  The proposed balconies would overlook into gardens and there would be a lack of privacy which a six-metre fence would not provide an answer.  In winter mornings the building would cast a shadow over surrounding properties.  Pile driving and the protection of existing properties had not been discussed and must be prohibited.  The development was in the wrong location and there were other options.

Councillor Reichhold addressed the Committee and stated that Anglian Water needed to ensure all of their sewer apparatus was kept up to strength to the satisfaction of the LLFA.  The site was prone to flooding and with climate change this would become greater.  He had asked that senior officers from both Anglian Water and the LLFA attend this meeting.  It was noted that officers were waiting for assurances from the LLFA and had these now been received.

Councillor Best addressed the Committee and stated that with regards to parking, the Housing 21 statement was based on three of their other sites which were located in urban areas with available public transport.  There had been no consideration of the number of parking spaces at shift changes.  36 parking spaces was not a reasonable number.  There was very poor public transport supporting the area.  The proposed development was too big for the site.  With regards to the acoustic barrier, after a period of time it would become the responsibility of the residents, but it should be the responsibility of the developer in perpetuity.

Mr Smith addressed the Committee and stated that the application was for a specialised extra care scheme.  There was a rapidly aging population in North Northamptonshire and the development was supported by the Council’s Strategic Housing Team.  It was not a care home but helped to retain  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Reserved Matters approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to application number 19/01355/OUT – Outline planning permission for the erection of 65 dwellings and an extra-care facility of up to 65 units.

Recommendation: That reserved matters approval is not granted until the Lead Local Flood Authority has given its advice.

The Committee considered a reserved matters application for approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to application number 19/01355/OUT – Outline planning permission for the erection of 65 dwellings and an extra care facility of up to 65 units.

The Senior Development Management Officer presented the report which detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal, providing full and comprehensive details.

Following receipt of the LLFA comments, it was now recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report and in the Committee Update Report.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Rob Hill, a supporter; Tony Robinson, an objector; Councillor Rupert Reichhold on behalf of Oundle Town Council; Councillor Helen Harrison, a Ward Member; and Katie Dowling, the applicant and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Mr Hill addressed the Committee and stated that drainage scheme had been submitted and considered at the outline planning stage and it was believed that all the issues had now been addressed.  Anglian Water had confirmed that their system had capacity for the development.  The drainage scheme matched the outline scheme.

Mr Robinson addressed the Committee and stated that several issues had not been considered at the meeting on 3^rd May, including visitor parking, the self-build plots and other issues.  The proposed site of the three self-build properties could not be delivered due to noise levels and was not viable.  There had been no consideration of approximately 260 children using the pedestrian crossing.  Site vehicles could cause infrastructure damage and safety issues.  At the development already approved at Cotterstock Road, site vehicles were already not following the agreed route.  With regards to Anglian Water, OFWAT had stated that they must improve.

Councillor Reichhold addressed the Committee and advised that he had nothing further to add to that he had already said on the previous application.

Councillor Harrison addressed the Committee and explained that several issues had not been considered at the meeting on 3^rd May.  She was also surprised that Anglian Water’s position had now changed.  20 of the four-bedroom dwellings would not have the required third parking space.  It was accepted that development would take place, but local people wanted the best development possible.  If the extra care facility was able to reduce the number of stories from four to three, then the number of houses on this site could be reduced.  The report stated that the development could not have both the required parking and tree-lined streets.

Ms Dowling addressed the Committee and stated that Anglian Water found the development acceptable with regards to capacity.  The LLFA had now responded with no objections.  All of the queries with the tree officer had been addressed and an acoustic fence would replace the existing fence.  If NNC did not adopt the open space, details of the management company would be submitted prior to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Chair thanked members, officers and the public for their attendance and closed the meeting.

The meeting closed at 5.00 pm.