40-home development at Church Road, Turners Hill

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing existing buildings and building 40 homes, with affordable housing, open space, parking, drainage, landscaping and a community car park.

“Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and the development of 40 dwellings (including affordable housing) with open space, access, parking, drainage, landscaping and other associated works as well as the creation of a new community car park and replacement parking for Lion Lane residents.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a field and workshop area beside Church Road, near the primary school, Lion Lane homes, the fire station, woodland and heritage assets.

“Traffic congestion and impact on highway safety at crossroads and particularly during peak hours. • Disappointing that the pedestrian footpath along the eastern boundary to improve access to the school has not been included, albeit safety concerns from the local fire station were noted.”

“The Conservation Area lies across the southern part of the site around The Old Vicarage and 120 and 121 Church Road and to the eastern side of the Allotment Gardens at the rear of the Fire Station. There are listed buildings adjoining the application site boundary in the southern eastern corner (The Bank).”

Officer report

Planning history and allocation

There was no relevant planning history, while the neighbourhood plan allocated the site for housing and a village car park.

“For the purposes of planning policy the site is located within the built up area boundary as defined in the District Plan and is allocated for housing development within the Neighbourhood Plan.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because housing, affordable homes and economic benefits outweighed heritage harm and other adverse impacts, subject to legal obligations and conditions.

“In terms of affordable housing this is positive in the balance given that the proposal will provide 30% provision to be clustered in an appropriate manner about the site. There will be a 75/25% tenure split in favour of affordable rent and the remainder in favour of intermediate homes. The affordable housing provision can be secured through the completion of a S106 Legal Agreement.”

“Recommendation 3.1 Recommendation A 3.2 It is recommended that planning permission be approved subject to the completion of a satisfactory S106 Legal Agreement to secure infrastructure contributions, SAMM and SANG contributions and affordable housing, and the conditions set in Appendix A.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

consultees raised no objections on highways, drainage, contamination, noise, biodiversity, minerals, utilities or air quality, subject to conditions and contributions.

“Summary of Consultees MSDC Environmental Health Recommends conditions. The location appears to be low risk with regard to noise and existing air quality. The conclusions of the submitted noise report are accepted. Construction activities could adversely affect the amenity of existing residents or those of completed sections/phases. MSDC Contaminated Land Officer No objection subject to condition(s).”

“WSCC Rights of Way No objection in principle and recommends an informative to remind the applicant of PROW regulations. WSCC FRS Water and Access No objection subject to conditions. WSCC Minerals & Waste Planning Authority No objection subject to the LPA being satisfied that there is an overriding need for the development that outweighs the safeguarding of the mineral resource, and that it has been demonstrated that prior extraction is not practicable or environmentally…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The senior planning officer introduced the application and drew attention to an update sheet and two additional representations.

The committee vote

The recommendation was proposed and seconded, then approved by 10 votes to 1.

“The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation, which was proposed by Councillor Marsh and seconded by Councillor Hitchcock. This was agreed with 10 in favour and 1 against.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to the conditions listed in Appendix A.

“Planning permission was approved subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix A.”

Minutes