Agenda item

Following debate it was proposed by Councillor Lyn Buckingham and seconded by Councillor Joseph Smyth that reccomendation A as set out in the agenda be approved in line with the officers reccomendation and subject to conditions.

That the Council agree to modify the s106 agreement by removing the “The Little Stanion Community sum” and “The Little Stanion Up-lift sum” obligations (together referred to as the roof tax) subject to EITHER:

The applicant will transfer the land (fully serviced and with public rights of access) for the Village Hall and parking area known as Block E on plan 1616-P100I to the Council, together with the sum of £1.2 million, prior to the commencement of the final residential phase (114 units ) of the Little Stanion development

OR

The applicant will submit a specification for the Village Hall and parking area to the local planning authority for approval within 3 months of the variation being agreed; the applicant will then build the Village Hall within 6-9 months of the LPA’s approval of the specification; upon approval of the Village Hall specification, the applicant will obtain an insurance bond at their own expense and to the reasonable satisfaction of the local planning authority to secure delivery of the Village Hall

TOGETHER WITH the applicant will use reasonable endeavours to conclude negotiations with the neighbouring landowner to acquire land for a football pitch at their own expense and will then provide a football pitch in lieu of a MUGA.

(Members voted on the officers recommendation to approve the application)

(Voting: For 8, Against 1)

Reccomendation A was therefore
APPROVED

Members received a report which sought permission for a variation of s106 agreement dated 28th August 2016 relating to LPA ref: 04/00442/OUT dated 5th July 2006 and LPA ref:17/00702/DPA (Detailed) dated 21st May 2018 for 66 residential units, retail space and community hall known as the Multi Use Square Development and 17/00703/OUT dated 6th September 2018 concerning outline planning permission for the erection of not less than 99 dwellings, and a maximum of 135 dwellings plus landscaping and associated works in Little Stanion for JME Developments Ltd.

Members noted that the application had been deferred by members of the Committee at its meeting on 4th October 2023 for the following reasons:-

i)        To enable the Council to further investigate the issue of whether or not the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) had indeed been substituted for the obligation to provide a football pitch and the issue relating to land owned by Tata Steel.

ii)        Resolve outstanding issues relating to changes to approved landscaping and especially trees on the site;

iii)       Resolve the financing and construction of a community hall to be provided on the Site and for the security of the same to be delivered at the point of letting the contract for the construction of the community hall to be within 6-9 months of the date of the approved further variation to the 106 Agreement; such bond to be valued in relation to the delivery of the specification for the community hall, such specification to be prepared by the Owner and approved by the local planning authority within the above time frame.

iv)       Enable negotiations between the Owner, Little Stanion Parish Council and the local planning authority to take place with a view to transferring management of the Community Hall, and parking area once built, to the Parish Council. (Members voted on the motion to defer the application) relates to a major development and a s106 variation application which concerns the delivery of a community asset (Village Hall and Football Pitch), amendments to two current obligations, wider viability issues, and legal matters to be considered.

Ray Kilham attended the meeting and addressed the committee as a third party objector to the proposed development raising concerns regarding ongoing issues with the developer of the proposed development.

Councillor Stuart Nash attended the meeting and addressed the committee as a representative of Little Stanion Parish Council. Councillor Nash raised support for the officers recommendation A and stated that the village Hall was required as part of much needed community facilities.

James Moore also attended the meeting and addressed the committee as the applicant for the application stating that recommendation C would be most beneficial in order to progress the development of the village hall.

Robert Waite also attended the meeting and addressed the committee as the agent on behalf of the application stating support for recommendation C. Mr Waite also commented on the involvement of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) within the development.

Members sought clarification regarding the officers recommendation and the necessary implications as well as clarification with regards to the involvement of a MUGA in place of a football pitch as the applicants preferred form of submission.

Following debate it was proposed by Councillor Lyn Buckingham and seconded by Councillor Joseph Smyth that recommendation A as set out in the agenda be approved in line with the officers recommendation and subject to conditions.

That the Council agree to modify the s106 agreement by removing the “The Little Stanion Community sum” and “The Little Stanion Up-lift sum” obligations (together referred to as the roof tax) subject to EITHER:

The applicant will transfer the land (fully serviced and with public rights of access) for the Village Hall and parking area known as Block E on plan 1616-P100I to the Council, together with the sum of £1.2 million, prior to the commencement of the final residential phase (114 units ) of the Little Stanion development

OR

The applicant will submit a specification for the Village Hall and parking area to the local planning authority for approval within 3 months of the variation being agreed; the applicant will then build the Village Hall within 6-9 months of the LPA’s approval of the specification; upon approval of the Village Hall specification, the applicant will obtain an insurance bond at their own expense and to the reasonable satisfaction of the local planning authority to secure delivery of the Village Hall

TOGETHER WITH the applicant will use reasonable endeavours to conclude negotiations with the neighbouring landowner to acquire land for a football pitch at their own expense and will then provide a football pitch in lieu of a MUGA.

(Members voted on the officers recommendation to approve the application)

(Voting: For 8, Against 1)

Recommendation A was therefore
APPROVED