Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

A Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that detailed an additional consultee comment, condition and informative.  Following the Officer’s presentation Councillor Driver, from Maldon Town Council and Mr Sam Caslin, the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

The Chairman moved the Officer’s recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Helm..

A debate ensued where Members raised issues around back-to-back distances; fabric first as opposed to renewables; parking provision; quality of life; the current proposed number of dwellings versus infrastructure; affordable housing contribution and energy saving measures. 

In response to issues raised Officers provided the following information:-

·        That in terms of parking Maldon District Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) adopted parking standards have been met, in addition there is a local centre within walking distance, bus services and cycling routes, a good choice of alternative to using the private car.  The parking therefore is adequate, all houses have been provided with adequate parking spaces in accordance with the adopted standards. 

·        That back-to-back distances were all at least around 25 metres as outlined in the Maldon District Design Guide (MDDG) (2017).  The housing mix was one of the reasons for the previous refusal. The current application has been assessed against the most recent Local Housing Needs Assessment and it complies sufficiently.

·        That with reference to quality of life the standard would be satisfactory, having been assessed against environmental health advice and the garden and house sizes proposed.

·        That fabric first is an approach to use building materials and building techniques aimed at reducing the energy need through a design approach rather than artificial support.

·        That the outline planning application was for up to 1,000 houses but the same site is allocated for a minimum of 1,000 so the proposal is compliant with the development plan. In terms of density/overcrowding the current proposal is for 42 houses which is more than previously refused.  However, the Housing mix has changed so the building footprint is less, the total number of bedrooms would only increase by one and, at 30 dwellings per hectare, the density is still quite low and complies with the parameter plan approved as part of the outline planning permission.

·        That funding for additional medical provision and school places will be secured by the S106.

·        That with reference to affordable housing it fully complies on percentages in terms of I, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable rented properties and more than the minimum Policy requirement for affordable housing is proposed.

·        That an additional condition could be included requiring further details of the energy saving measures to be incorporated into the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 260