Issue - meetings

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

Following her detailed presentation of the application, the Development Management Team Manager drew Members’ attention to the Members’ Update which highlighted a number of updates and additions to the previously published report.

Mrs Dodsley an objector, and Mr Cavanagh the Applicant then addressed the Committee.

Having addressed the Committee and in accordance with her earlier declaration Councillor S Dodsley left the chamber and did not return.

The Chairperson advised that four further requests to speak had been received but these were rejected in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor M E Thompson requested a recorded vote. This was duly seconded and agreed.

During the very lengthy discussion that followed a number of Members spoke raising concerns in relation to a number of areas, which included Highways and the impact of the proposed new access, compliance with the Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), impact on the surrounding landscape and sustainability. In response to the discussion and questions raised Officers, including those from Essex County Council (ECC) Highways provided the following information:

·                Access to the proposed development was required and it had been assessed that the only potential access was on the A414. ECC Highways explained that assessment of the proposal had been made in terms of whether the application was safe and efficient on planning terms, and they had determined there was no basis for objection.

·                Although the land was allocated within the Local Plan as being for community facilities, Officers had to weigh this against the benefits that the housing would bring. It was noted that the development included a nursery and cemetery expansion which would be for community use.

·                In response to a question regarding redesignating part of the land, the Director of Place, Planning and Growth explained that within Local Plan designation Section 38(6) allowed the Planning Authority make material considerations. He provided further detail regarding this and reminded Members that this application had been advertised as a departure from the Local Plan.

·                Members were reminded that prior to the Governments revised standard methodology for calculating housing need the Council could easily demonstrate over Five-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS). The Director of Place, Planning and Growth advised that the latest calculation showed that the Council could demonstrate 4.14 years. Officers explained that the National Planning Policy Framework  ...  view the full minutes text for item 422