Housing development at Site Of Homebase, New Zealand Avenue, Walton-on-Thames

Redevelopment of the Homebase site

The application concerned full and outline permission for development of the former Homebase site, including residential development meeting a housing target of at least 40 dwellings per hectare.

“paragraph 152 stated that no flood risk assessment was required for the application. However, as the site was over one hectare, this was incorrect, and a flood risk assessment had been provided with the application, and no objection had been raised by the Environment Agency or the Lead Local Flooding Authority;”

“No. Quantum of Development (Outline Application) The residential development herby approved shall be required to meet the Local Planning Authority's (LPA) overall housing target of at least 40dph and provide dwellings where the unit mix is in…”

Minutes

No weight given to the new homes bonus

Officers advised that no weight should be given to the new homes bonus as the scheme was being phased out.

“with regard to paragraph 155 and comments on the new home bonus, as the scheme was being phased out and might not be in operation when the residential site was developed, it was confirmed that no weight should be attributed to this matter; and…”

Minutes

A further objection received

One further letter of objection had been received on the application.

“One further letter of objection had been received.”

Minutes

An objector and the agent spoke

An objector and the applicant's agent addressed the committee on the application.

Granted subject to an affordable housing agreement

Permission was resolved to be granted subject to conditions and a legal agreement securing an affordable housing contribution within six months.

“Resolved that full and outline permission be granted with the conditions and informatives as outlined in the agenda, subject to the completion of a satisfactory Legal Agreement to secure an Affordable Housing contribution, within 6 months of the Planning Committee’s resolution, or a longer period as agreed by the Head of Planning and Environmental Health and subject to the following amended and additional conditions:”

Minutes

A new Kowhai tree condition

An additional condition required approval of plans for a plaque and ceremony marking a replacement Kowhai tree.

“No. Replacement Kowhai Tree Commemoration Prior to the installation of any commemorative plaque associated with the new Kowhai tree, details of the proposed dedication shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council following consultation with the ward councillors. The details shall include:”

Minutes

Refusal fallback if no agreement

If a satisfactory affordable housing agreement was not completed in time, authority was delegated to refuse permission for failing to secure the contribution.

“Should a satisfactory legal agreement to secure an Affordable Housing contribution not be received within 6 months of the resolution to grant permission, or a longer period as agreed by the Head of Planning and Environmental Health, authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Environmental Health to refuse planning permission for the following reason:”

“The proposal would, by reason of the lack of a completed Legal Agreement, fail to secure the necessary contribution towards affordable housing contrary to the requirements of Policy CS21 of the Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011 and the Development Contributions Supplementary Planning Document 2021.”

Minutes