230-home residential development at Rotary Way, Darlington

What was proposed

The application sought 230 dwellings with infrastructure, a sustainable drainage basin, parking and landscaping.

“DESCRIPTION: Residential development consisting 230 No. dwellings, with associated infrastructure, SUDS basin, parking and landscaping (amended description)”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site was a 12.3-hectare agricultural field on Darlington’s northwestern edge, within the wider Burtree Garden Village allocation.

“The application site is an agricultural field (approx. 12.3 hectares) located on the northwestern edge of Darlington and forms part of the wider Burtree Garden Village allocation between Rotary Way and Burtree Lane. The site is bound to the east by the Argos Distribution depot and to the south by the High Grange residential estate and the Aldi Regional Distribution Centre.”

“The fields to the north and west of the application site form part of Phase 1 of the Burtree Garden Village (BGV) development approved under hybrid planning permission reference number 22/01342/FULE which included a link road to connect Rotary Way and Burtree Lane. The construction of this link road is currently underway.”

Officer report

Related development and permissions

The surrounding development included Phase 1 of Burtree Garden Village, with a link road under construction and a separate access amendment approved.

“The application site lies outside of, but adjacent to the Phase 1 of BGV and full planning permission is sought to redevelop the site for residential development consisting of 230 No. dwellings, with associated infrastructure, SUDS basins, parking and landscaping. Vehicular access would be via the link road referred to in paragraph 2 of this report.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it accorded with development allocations, design requirements and planning policies, with suitable mitigation and conditions.

“The site is located within the development limits of the main urban area (Policy H3 of the Local Plan). Policy H2, E2 and H11 of the Local Plan allocate the application site and the wider area (site reference 185 Greater Faverdale) for mixed use development which will contribute towards meeting the Boroughs quantitative and qualitative need for housing and employment over the plan period.”

“The planning application has been successfully assessed by the Local Planning Authority against the Greater Faverdale Design Code SPD and it is considered that the development has had regard to the Design SPD.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Council specialists, National Highways, Natural England, water, archaeology, airport and gas consultees raised no objections subject to stated requirements.

“The Council’s Highways Engineer, Environmental Health Officer, Ecology Officer, Climate Change Officer, Arboricultural Team Leader, Public Rights of Way Officer, Public Health Team, Education Team have raised no objections to the planning application subject to appropriate planning conditions and/or planning obligations…”

“National Highways have raised no objections to the planning application subject to appropriate planning conditions and planning obligations…”

Officer report

Objections and public comments

Two comments concerned a bus stop, pedestrian crossing and commercial noise, while other objections raised design, employment, viability and strategic highway concerns.

“Following the Council’s various publicity and notification exercises on the planning application, two comments were received relating to the location of a bus stop and pedestrian crossing on Rotary Way which form part of the offsite highway works for the Phase 1 BGV approval and that noise from the neighbouring commercial buildings must be fully considered as part of the planning application.”

“A further letter of objection has been submitted by Savills on behalf of Hellens BGV Limited and Homes England, which in addition to the above comments, raises concerns about the potential impact of unknown financial contributions for strategic highways mitigation for the A1(M) would have on the viability of Phase 2 of the Burtree Garden Village allocation.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the applicant and considered the listed consultation responses and an objection letter.

Committee discussion

Members discussed the officer report before a motion was moved to grant planning permission subject to the proposed conditions.

“The Committee entered into discussion on the report, and a Motion was moved to grant Planning Permission subject to the proposed conditions outlined in the report, which was seconded. After a vote, the Motion was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the developer entering into the required section 111 agreement and the report’s conditions.

“RESOLVED - That planning permission be granted subject to the following:”

“THE DEVELOPER OF THE LAND CURRENTLY WITHIN THE OWNERSHIP OF DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 111 OF THE”

Minutes