540 homes at Land to the south of Lower Bullingham west of the Rotherwas Industrial Estate north of the Rotherwas Hereford

An objector, the applicant and members spoke

An objector's statement was read, the applicant spoke in support, and the local ward members also addressed the committee.

Flooding and lane closures raised

Ward members raised concern that closing two lanes would cut off residents during flooding, and questioned the safety of a new access road.

“The allocation of the site was contained within the core strategy under policy HD6. • It was understood that the allocated site was proposed to have been supported by the provision of key infrastructure in the form of a western or eastern bypass. • The proposed development contained a significant amount of affordable housing which was positive. • The provision of an employment site through the application was supported.”

“Due to the topography of the land it was not felt that sport pitches were feasible in the proposed park. • There was concern regarding flooding in Watery Lane and the impact of the new development on local incidents of flooding. • The proposed roundabout on the Rotherwas Relief Road would be accessed by a significant number of local residents to the proposed site.”

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Members debated flooding and active travel

Members welcomed the affordable housing and green space, but queried flood risk, the safety of cycling access in storms, and the cost of managing open space.

“Incidents of heavy rainfall and extreme weather was increasing in frequency and there was concern at the number of days that access to the proposed site and existing developments would be constrained by flooding. • It was noted that there were positive active travel elements contained within the application. • The proportion of affordable housing contained within the application was welcomed.”

“The green space and parkland proposed in the application was welcomed. • The role of the travel plan coordinator was queried and how they could assist when access to the site was compromised by extreme weather events. • There was concern that the phasing of the build of the development could constrain pedestrian and cycle access to the site. The implementation and retention of active travel infrastructure needed to be protected during the construction of the site.”

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Officers explained flood and traffic mitigation

Officers said flood risk could be effectively mitigated and would be reviewed further, and that extensive traffic modelling supported the proposed access arrangements.

“The applicant considered that flooding on the site could be effectively addressed and this would be looked at in the reserved matters stage. Extensive work had been undertaken by consultants with regard to flood mitigation on the site. The risks were understood and it was considered that they could be effectively mitigated.”

“Such modelling took place for each development site and took account of the highway network locally; in the case of the current application site the traffic modelling was based on a local highway network without the provision of a bypass. • It was explained that the travel plan coordinator would be a point of feedback for local residents to comment on the travel plans to the site and would help to implement improvements to encourage sustainable transport.”

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Committee approved by simple majority

The committee voted to approve the application by a simple majority, in line with the officer recommendation, subject to a Section 106 agreement.

“Councillor Bruce Baker proposed and Councillor Simeon Cole seconded a motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.”

“That subject to the completion of a Section 106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 obligation agreement (Draft Agreement to be published for a minimum of 10 working days prior to determination) officer named in the Scheme of Delegation are authorised to grant Outline planning permission with all matters reserved except access subject to the conditions below and any other further conditions (or amendments) considered necessary.”

Minutes