Agenda item

To consider the planning application and recommendation of the Director of Planning and Regulatory Services (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated).

Following the Officer’s presentation of the report, Mr Boden of Langmeil, The Avenue, North Fambridge, an Objector, Mrs S Nunn from North Fambridge Parish Council and Mr S Martin of David Wilson Homes, the Applicant, all addressed the Committee.

In response to a question, the Development Management Team Leader advised that the application before the Committee was for reserved matters only.  The discharge of conditions matters of sewerage and foul water would be dealt with under delegated powers. 

Several questions were raised by Members and the Development Management Team Leader advised as follows:

·         The viability and affordable housing was agreed at the outline planning permission stage;

·         The housing mix – this was not a matter for the Council to refuse this application on as there were no such conditions;

·         The access at Church Lane – there was a construction management plan that required access to be agreed;

·         The access to the site – the main access to the east of the site was shown on the map;

·         The flood risk – this was on part of the site that was not being developed;

·         The discharge of condition application – the Environment Agency (EA), Anglian Water and the Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs) team had been consulted and this was being dealt with separately.

Members raised serious concerns regarding flooding and drainage and were of the opinion that a completely new system was necessary to alleviate the problems in North Fambridge.  The Development Management Team Leader advised that the surface water scheme contained a variety of measures to deal with the water.  There were cells, ponds and other measures within the development.  Neither the EA nor the SUDs teams had objected to this application and they would have done if there was an increase in water flow.

Members requested that officers considered the feedback given by Members on the flooding and sewerage issues and that stringent conditions would be imposed should this application be approved.

A question was raised about access and roads and the comments made by Essex Fire and Rescue which were summarised in the report.  In response the Development Management Team Leader advised that conversations were ongoing regarding conditions and matters were progressing.  Moreover, the fire turning circle would be dealt with under building regulations rather than planning.

Members further raised concerns regarding the discharge of conditions and the Development Management Team Leader noted these comments and reminded Members that they must deal with the application before them and that the discharge of conditions was to be dealt with at a later date.

Councillor H M Bass proposed that all sewerage and relevant conditions be brought back to this Committee for determination.

This proposal was duly seconded and the motion carried.

Councillor D M Sismey then proposed that the Officer’s recommendation be agreed.  This was duly seconded.

RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:

1                    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved drawings specifically referenced on this decision notice.

2                    The development shall be constructed shall be constructed of the external materials specified on Drawing No: 745. 204.06 dated 04.12.2017 Materials Plan and 745. 231 .04 dated 04.12.2017.

3                    The hard landscaping for the site shall be constructed in complete accordance with materials specified on Drawing No: 745. 231.04 dated 04.12.2017 and retained as such thereafter. 

4                    The tree protection and soft landscaping for the site shall be carried out in complete accordance with the following details and Drawing No:-

·         JBA 17/005/1 Rev I dated June 2017

·         JBA 17/005/2 Rev I dated June 2017

·         JBA 17/005/3 Rev I dated June 2017

·         JBA 17/005/4 Rev I dated June 2017

·         JBA 17.005.5 Rev I dated June 2017

·         JBA 17/005-06 Rev H dated July 2017

·         JBA 17/005-07 Rev G dated July 2017

·         JBA 17/005-08 Rev H dated July 2017

·         JBA 17/005-09 Rev H dated July 2017

·         JBA 17/005-SK01 Rev E dated December 2017

·         JBA 17/005 TP01 Rev A dated 04.07.2017

·         Arboricultural Method Statement prepared by James Blake Associates Ltd (reference: JBA 17/005 AR02 Rev A dated 30 November 2017)

·         Tree Protection Warning Signs

·         Tree Survey Schedule dated 5 December 2017

·         Tree Works Schedule dated 5 December 2017

5          Prior to the first occupation of the development the vehicle parking and turning areas as indicated on the approved plans shall be provided, hard surfaced, sealed and marked out. The parking and turning areas shall be retained in perpetuity for their intended purpose.  

6          Prior to the first occupation of the dwelling annotated Plot 50 on Drawing No: 745.201.06 dated 04.12.2017, the first floor window serving the bathroom and the roof light serving the en-suite shall be glazed with opaque glass and be retained as such thereafter.

7          Prior to the first occupation of the dwelling annotated Plot 51 on Drawing No: 745.201.06 dated 04.12.2017, the First floor window serving the dressing room shall be glazed with opaque glass and be retained as such thereafter.

8          Prior to the first occupation of the dwelling annotated Plot 52 on Drawing No: 745.201.06 dated 04.12.2017, the first floor windows serving the bathroom and the en-suite shall be glazed with opaque glass and be retained as such thereafter.

9          Details of the sub-station and pumping station, including the design, height, noise emission shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  The details as approved shall be constructed prior to the first occupation of the respective dwellings to which it relates and be retained as such thereafter.