Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor Steven North.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Planning Committee (South) held on 24 January 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

Councillors Jennie Bone, Melanie Coleman and Bert Jackson declared that they had informally visited both sites on the agenda.

The Chair advised that application NW/22/00903/FUL – Parcel 19C Stanton Cross, Wellingborough would be considered as the first item.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be REFUSED due to the following reasons:

1.    Lack of on-site and off-site infrastructure and affordable housing having particular regard to viability.

2.    Unacceptable impact on neighbour residential amenity contrary to policy 8(e) and (i) of the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and policy site 1(M) of the Plan for the Borough of Wellingborough.

3.    The proposed single access is insufficient for the size of the site and therefore contrary to policy 8(e) and (i) of the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and policy site 1(M) of the plan for the Borough of Wellingborough.

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of former farm buildings and erection of 60 dwellings (consisting of 4 one bed units, 11 two bed units 3 of which are bungalows, 21 three bed units and 24 four bed units) with associated public open space and infrastructure.  Means of access from Lamport Way, with additional footpath/cycle linkage.

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 be granted subject to the completion of an appropriate S106 legal agreement by 30 June 2024 or any further extension of time agreed in writing between the applicant and the Local Planning Authority, and subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report.  Should the S106 legal agreement not be completed by 30 June 2024 or any further extension of time agreed in writing between the applicant and the Local Planning Authority, that it be delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Economy to refuse planning permission.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Councillor Dorothy Maxwell, an NNC Councillor and Daniel Browne, the applicant, and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Councillor Maxwell addressed the Committee and stated that she welcomed the application, however she had concerns with the proposed parking and that there was limited or no bus service.  She was also concerned that there was only one proposed access road on to the site.  There was also no plans for a GP surgery and the surrounding GPs were oversubscribed.  There was no secondary school planned and she questioned whether part of the S106 monies could be used towards the rebuild of the nearby Huxlow School.

Mr Browne addressed the Committee and stated that the site was a derelict farm and paddock land, which partly contained an old sewage treatment works, there were viability issues with the site due to the former uses of the site.  The site was surrounded by the Stanton Cross Sustainable Urban Extension development and he advised that it was not a straight forward site to develop.  It was proposed that there would be one access to the site, and NNC Highways had not objected.  The proposed parking exceeded the minimum parking standards. The Grange would be retained and an area of public open space adjacent sought to preserve the setting of the building. The sustainable urban drainage scheme was compliant. There was a requirement for a second pumping station for the  foul drainage, which resulted in the proposed development being provided in phases. The development would provide biodiversity net gain.  The application did seek to reduce the level of affordable housing provided.  All properties would meet national space standards.  The issues on the site were known from the outset including contamination as the site had previously been quarried.

At the invitation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be GRANTED, subject to the conditions listed in the report.

The Committee considered an application for the proposed change of use from offices (Class E (g) (i)) to 4 no. one bedroom apartments and associated external alterations.

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 be granted subject to the conditions listed at the end of the report.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Russell Green, an objector and Roy Hammond, the agent, and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Mr Green addressed the Committee and stated that the lack of parking would be an issue and there would be no room for four or more cars.  The access from London Road was not wide enough.  The road was already used as a rat-run and the lack of parking was already difficult for residents.  The proposal was an overdevelopment of the site.

Mr Hammond addressed the Committee and stated that there was already an extant permission for 3 two-bedroom apartments and that would be the fall-back position.  This was an improved scheme and there would be no greater impact than the extant scheme.  NNC Highways did not object to the application.  Mr Hammond clarified that the applicant wanted to deliver this application, but it was likely that the extant permission would be delivered if this application was refused.

The Chair moved the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Melanie Coleman, and invited the Committee to determine the application.

In response to a question about what mechanism was in place for enforcing the requirement for single household dwellings, officers confirmed it would be reliant on others to make a complaint and any complaints would be investigated by the Enforcement Team.

It was moved and seconded that the application be granted.

On being put to the vote there were 11 votes for the motion, one against and no abstentions, therefore the motion was carried.

RESOLVED:-

That the application be granted, subject to the conditions listed at the end of the report.

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

The meeting closed at 9.45pm.