Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director: Planning and Implementation, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

During the Officers’ presentation Members were advised that should they be minded to approve this application an amendment to condition 2 was required to detail an additional plan. This was noted. The Applicant, Ms Kemp then addressed the Committee.

A lengthy debate ensued and in response to a number of comments raised, the Principal Planning Officer provided Members with additional information, including:

·                A number of concerns were raised regarding the car parking provision for both residents and staff and compliance with the Council’s Supplementary Planning Document. The Officer advised that given the level of dementia care proposed it was felt that the level of car parking spaces proposed would be acceptable. During the discussion, Councillor A T Fittock provided the Committee with details of the number of spaces required to be policy compliant.

·                Full biodiversity net gain had been submitted to show how this was to be achieved.

·                The materials would be of a palate to match those approved across the rest of the garden suburb site.

·                A lift was proposed for the development in order to access all three storeys.

·                No space, internal or external, was provided for storage of mobility scooters. It was confirmed that a condition regarding this would not be considered unreasonable. In response to a query regarding Parking Standard 4.10.5 and provision for mobility scooter storage the Officer advised she would have to check this outside of the meeting.

·                The Officer advised that the delivery point would be at the back of the development where the kitchen was, although there was no specific delivery point detailed.

Councillor R H Siddall requested that an amendment be made to the report as the application site was not within the Parish of Great Totham, but in fact Heybridge. The Officer advised that having checked the site was within the boundary of Great Totham.

Councillor P L Spenceley proposed that the application be deferred on the grounds that there was not enough information on mobility scooters, Officers were to request if further car parking spaces could be provided, and that consideration be given to the Council’s Design Guide. This proposal was duly seconded.

In light of the proposal, the Chairperson put this to the Committee. Upon a vote being taken she declared this was not agreed.

The Chairperson reminded Members of the Constitutional Brake Clause as provided for in the Committee’s Operating Protocol and advised that the constitution brake was therefore invoked.

At this point the Head of Service: Development Management and Building Control clarified the two options available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 421