Agenda item

To consider the planning application and recommendations of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

It was noted from the Members’ Update that the description of the proposal had been amended and in light of this a revised recommendation was detailed.  In addition, some amendments to sections 3, 6 and 7 of the report were detailed, a consultation response from the Countryside and Coast Officer had been received and an amendment to condition 1 and deletion of conditions 4 and 9 were detailed.

Following the Officers’ presentation, the Agent, Ms Williams addressed the Committee.

Councillor B E Harker proposed that the application be refused, contrary to Officers’ recommendation, as he felt the application failed to encourage a greater proportion of smaller 1 and 2 bed homes contrary to Policy H2 of the LDP and contrary to the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA).  This proposal was duly seconded.

As a point of clarification Members were advised that the related outline application had been determined before the Council had a five year housing land supply and Local Development Plan.  Housing mix had been accepted and was not therefore a matter for consideration at this stage.

A debate ensued, during which some Members expressed concern regarding the style of houses being presented, in particular the proposed flats and flat rooves. 

Councillor S J Savage then proposed the that Officers recommendation (as set out in the Members’ Update) be approved.  This was duly seconded.

The Chairman sought clarification from Councillor Harker regarding his earlier proposition.  Councillor Harker advised that he wished to withdraw his proposition.

At this point Councillor M R Pearlman left the meeting for a short while and then returned.

In response to questions raised particularly in relation to the information detailed in the Members’ Update, the Principle Planning Officer clarified a number of points, including:

·                 the table in paragraph 3.1.10 of the report had been updated in the Members’ Update and related only to market housing residential mix.  The Officer went through the changes and it was noted that although the figures had changed the proposal still complied with the outline permission granted.

·                 reference in the main report to elderly bungalows and flats related to the affordable housing mix which remained the same.

The Chairman commented that it was not acceptable for Members’ Updates to be sent out late and this was causing great difficulty.  He questioned whether the changes outlined were a material amendment.

Councillor I E Dobson proposed that that the application be deferred.  This was duly seconded.

The Chairman sought clarification on the reason for deferral and it was agreed that this was due to a lack of technical information.

The Chairman then put the proposed deferral in the name of Councillor Dobson, and upon a vote being taken this was agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be DEFERRED due to a lack of technical information within the Officers report.