Issue - meetings

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

Following the Officers’ presentation, an objector Mr Vickers and the applicant Mr Wilsher from Bloor Homes addressed the Committee.

Councillor A S Fluker referred to the consultation response from Anglian Water objecting to the proposed development due to insufficient infrastructure in Southminster and queried if this was addressed within the reasons for refusal. He felt that Officers had come to the right decision and then proposed that the application be refused in accordance with Officers’ recommendation. This proposal was duly seconded.

In response to a query regarding a consultation response from Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council, the Development Management Team Leader advised that a response had been received that afternoon. He referred to this consultation response, advising Members that the Town Council were recommending refusal of the application as they felt it was in an unsustainable location and contrary to policies.

Members were informed that Officers had considered the consultation response from Anglian Water alongside other recent appeal decisions for similar developments. Referring to a development in Latchingdon, the Development Management Team Leader explained how the Planning Inspector had considered a Grampian style condition requiring the sewage and foul drainage system to be approved by the Council, discharged, built and be in place prior to any occupation of any of the buildings and how this also accorded with the National Planning Policy Framework. Officers had not included this as a reason for refusal as it was felt that the matter could be mitigated by a Grampian condition. In response to a suggestion that this be included as a reason for refusal, the Director of Place, Planning and Growth provided further explanation, advising that if Members were considering referring to this they needed to consider if the tilted balance applied because the Council was unable to demonstrate a Five-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS). It could be mitigated by a Grampian condition but if a Grampian condition couldn’t be satisfied until Anglian Water had provided a facility (which potentially had a long lead in time) this wouldn’t be delivering the homes to mitigate the impact of the Council’s 5YHLS.

Councillor Fluker proposed and amendment to his earlier proposal, proposing that the comments raised by Officers in relation to the Latchingdon appeal decision and Anglian Water be included as a reason for refusal. This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken the amendment was agreed.

The Chairperson  ...  view the full minutes text for item 511