Issue - meetings

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application to the Committee.

The Officer has provided a verbal updated prior to presenting the application to the Committee outlining the following:

·       Amendment to the recommendation of approval which should include an additional condition seeking submission of SAP calculations. The requirement for the condition was mentioned within the body of the Committee Report, however in error was not included in the recommendation.

• Clarification was provided in respect of the proposed removal of 4 trees (3 of which are subject to TPO) as 2 (1 TPO and 1 non-TPO) of the trees have already been permitted to be removed under the consented scheme. As such, the proposal would result in loss of 2 additional trees rather than 4.

Public Speaker, Supporter – Spoke on:

·       Resident of a neighbouring property on site

·       The proposed application is an improvement on the planned flats

·       The proposed townhouses are attractive and high quality

·       The proposed application ensures better views and landscapes for neighbours than previous plan.

Public Speaker, Supporter (Agent) – Spoke on:

·       Existing dwellings on site are high quality and award winning

·       Site has extensive history of residential development

·       Low density layout

·       The proposed dwellings have less impact than the planned flats

·       Air-source heat pumps and Electric Vehicle charging stations

·       Network Rail are now supportive of the application subject to conditions

·       Drainage officer supports application

·       Multiple letters of support for the application

·       Delivery of 13 new homes in a sustainable location that contribute to the housing supply

·       Financial contribution to offsite affordable housing

·       Financial contribution to habitat regulation assessment

·       Extensive landscaping and new tree planting

·       Sustainable travel vouchers

Comments from Councillors included:

·       The proposed design is an improvement on the proposed flats

·       The application now has the support of Network Rail

·       The drainage officer supports the application

·       The application provides an offsite contribution to affordable housing.

·       Any access rights to the railway are maintained in the application

·       The site is already used for residential development and this application has a reduced impact compared to the planned flats

·       The Flood Management Team at Devon County Council had advised that a groundwater survey had been requested by the Railway Authority but was now not needed following various works carried out.

·       13 trees planted on site would contribute to biodiversity

The Senior Planning Officer clarified that the application was submitted before the introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain and so there could not be a demand for the 10 percent mentioned in the reasons for call-in.

It was proposed by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Bullivant that permission be granted as set out in the report.

A vote was taken – the result was unanimously in favour.

Resolved

That permission be granted subject to the following:

a)    The Applicant/Landowner first entering into a Section 106 Agreement to secure:

·       Affordable Housing contributions of £265,627; and

·       Habitat Regulations Assessment contribution of £3,041 to offset recreational pressure on the Exe Estuary SPA/Ramsar site and Dawlish Warren SAC; and

·       Provision of a Travel Pack  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95