Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing buildings (excluding No. 596 High Road), and erection of 3 storey buildings to provide 175 sqm of A1 / A2 / A3 floorspace and 39 residential units together with formation of vehicular access.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions and subject to s106 Legal Agreement.

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, which gave details of the application, the applicant’s case, the site and its environment, planning history and all of the relevant planning factors and policies.

The Planning Officer gave a summary of the report submitted and took questions from the Committee. The Committee was advised of revisions to the drawings, and an addendum sheet was circulated outlining two amendments proposed to the report as submitted, relating to the energy statement and the deletion of a covenant restricting the transfer or lease of any private market housing unit to Local Authority, registered social landlord, and the lease to persons claiming job seekers allowance or housing benefit.

The Committee asked where car club parking spaces would be located in relation to the site, in response to which it was reported that specific locations had not yet been identified, although possible locations were Scotland Green and Parkhurst Road. In response to questions from the Committee regarding making it clear to potential owners that the development was car free, it was reported that the design of the site itself meant that there was no opportunity to park on site, which would make the development self-policing. The Committee expressed concern that disabled residents in the development would not have access to dedicated parking spaces, although it was reported that the development would be accessible by car.

Cllr Bevan addressed the Committee in objection to the report. Cllr Bevan reported that the housing service objected to the scheme on the grounds that it was not a mixed development and would constitute 100% affordable housing units. It was suggested that the scheme should be mixed tenure, and that 45% should be used for Homebuy. Cllr Bevan also objected to the car free element of the scheme, as car free developments should only be in areas subject to a CPZ, which was not the case at this site, and the development would contribute to parking problems in surrounding streets. Cllr Bevan asked that use of 45% of the scheme for Homebuy be considered and that the parking restrictions be reconsidered.

On behalf of the applicants, Mr Kevin Goodwin and Mr Peter Smith addressed the Committee, and advised that they had addressed all of the points raised by the Planning Inspector when the case had previously gone to appeal. It was reported that the issues regarding parking had been debated at that time, and the Inspector had not raised concerns in this regard. It was reported that, although there had been difficulty in identifying a development partner for the scheme, it was still felt to be the preferable option and work was continuing in this regard. It was felt, however, that it would be unreasonable to impose a covenant restricting the transfer or lease of any private units at this time.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding the lack of any disabled spaces on the site, the applicants advised that they had been unable to incorporate parking due to highway  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13