Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received and noted for Cllrs J Burton and Fisher.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members].

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. Concerning agenda item 4b Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe, Moor Lane, Strensall, York [24/01519/FULM], Cllr Steward noted that the applicant had been in his year at school and they met occasionally for a reunion. He undertook to withdraw from the meeting for that item.

[Cllr Watson arrived at 4.36pm]

Cllr Watson declared that he knew the family for agenda item 4b and undertook to withdraw from the meeting for that item.

Due to the Vice Chair Cllr Fisher giving apologies for the meeting, Cllr Cullwick was elected as Vice Chair for the meeting.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Thursday 15 May 2025.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general matters within the remit of the Planning Committee A.

This item invites Members to determine the following planning applications:

Members considered a schedule of reports of the Head of Planning and Development, relating to the following planning applications, outlining the proposals and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views of consultees and officers.

Erection of 44no. dwellings (C3 use class), open space, infrastructure and associated landscaping [Osbaldwick and Derwent Ward]

Members considered a major full application from Liam Tate for the erection of 44 dwellings (C3 use class), open space, infrastructure and associated landscaping at OS Field 2800, Eastfield Lane, Dunnington, York.

The Development Manager outlined and gave a presentation on the application. The Principal Developments Project Officer gave an update on the application noting that there had been an additional written representation from Cllr Warters. He detailed a change to the recommendation which included an additional planning obligation regarding vehicle highway connections on the land to the boundary of the land.

Members asked Officers questions to which they explained that:

·       They were satisfied that the application complied with policy H10 and they had not asked for additional affordable housing.

·       Sites had been brought forward with more affordable housing than this application which contributed to the total amount of affordable housing.

·       At this point a Member noted that it would be useful to have information on affordable housing and the Chair advised this would come through a Scrutiny Committee.

·       There was no response from the NHS requesting a contribution and the consultation would have been sent to a named NHS contact.

·       Using the presentation on the screen, Officers showed where the existing footpath was and noted that the Section 106 contribution would fill the last link through to the existing route. It was confirmed that the route would be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

·       There was a similar planning obligation on a site in Wheldrake and it had been applied similarly to this application.

·       Regarding applying penalties for developers breaching working hours conditions, the Senior Lawyer advised that there was no legal reason to issue a penalty charge notice (PCN) for breaches.

·       A note about the use of generations could be included in the CEMP.

·       Within the design and access statement the applicant had stated that all of the houses were compliant with part M of planning policy.

·       In terms of the development, Officers would be surprised if the contribution to education was not paid and it could be advantageous to the council for the S106 contribution to be paid in phases.

·       A condition regarding drainage regarding drainage being managed during the planning process could not be put in.

·       The Chair noted Cllr Warters concerns that in the previous application conditions had not been discharged. Officers advised that the 2020 application was subject to pre commencement conditions that permanently ended in July.

·       It was not known if there were any contaminated land issues. The parcel of land in the 2020 application was under two land ownerships and the agreement for the second half of the site had fallen through.

·       Regarding whether it was a material consideration that the scheme would put the 11 affordable homes into jeopardy, Officers advised that there would need to be a reason for refusal.

·       The condition in the previous application relating to contaminated land remediation had been discharged.

·       There was no evidence to suggest that the site was being split artificially and the application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Installation of hardstanding, landscaping and infrastructure works to parking area [Strensall Ward]

Members considered a major full application from Dykes for the Installation of hardstanding, landscaping and infrastructure works to parking area at Piglets Adventure Farm Towthorpe Grange Towthorpe Moor Lane Strensall York.

The Development Manager outlined and gave a presentation on the application. He was asked and explained that the application included a service pathway that provided a pedestrian route into the site. He added that there was no pedestrian access to the site.

The Development Officer gave an update on the application noting the deletion on Condition 7, a change to a drawing number in Condition 10 and the deletion of informative 3, which had been added in error.

Public Speaker

Sarah Sykes, applicant with her husband, spoke in support of the application. She explained that the application had been carefully considered with Officers. She detailed the problems with parking noting how the proposed hardstanding would help with safety on the site and how biodiversity would be improved. She hoped that the Committee would support the officer recommendation. She noted amendments needed regarding references to a theme park, explaining that it was a farm adventure park.

In response to Member questions, she explained that:

·       There were many trees on the farm and the trees in the application were designed to grow up through the hedges.

·       Many staff members cycled to the farm adventure park and she would be happy to put cycle parking in.

·       The wildflower planting was outside of the application site and would be along the entrance field.

Members asked Officers questions to which they responded that:

Regarding securing cycle parking for visitors there was no reference to cycle provision in policy T1 of the Local Plan. An informative about cycle parking could be added.

Cllr Merrett proposed the officer recommendation to delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Development Services to approve the application subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure Bio-diversity monitoring contribution of £2,750, finalise the detail of the S106, deletion of Condition 7, a change to a drawing number in Condition 10, the deletion of informative 3 and an informative regarding the provision of staff and visitor cycle parking is encouraged including for adapted cycles. This was seconded by Cllr Cullwick. Following a unanimous vote it was:

Resolved:

i That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Development Services to APPROVE the application subject to:

a. The completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the following planning obligations:

•         Bio-diversity monitoring contribution of £2,750

ii The Head of Planning and Development Services be given delegated authority to finalise the terms and details of the Section 106 Agreement.

iii The Head of Planning and Development Services be given delegated authority to determine the final detail of the conditions in the published report.

iv The deletion of Condition 7, a change to a drawing number in Condition 10, the deletion of informative 3 and an informative regarding the provision of staff and visitor cycle parking is encouraged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.