Agenda item

Erection of 12no. two and three storey dwellings with garage block. [Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a major full application (13 weeks) by JH Bryan and Union Pension Trustees Ltd for the erection of 12 two and three storey dwellings with a garage block.

Officer advised the committee that revised plans had now been received detailing the dropped crossing at the Jervis Road access to the satisfaction of Highways Officers. They also advised that the Safer York Partnership welcomed the changes detailed in the revised plans with respect to the gated access,  the removal of the bin collection assembly area, the provision of boundary fencing and gates and the provision of secure covered cycle storage sheds advising that they should help to ensure that this development provided a safe and secure environment for any future residents.

Officers advised that a neighbour living at 2 Jervis Road strongly objected to the revised plans which have dormer windows to the rear on the basis of loss of privacy to his back garden and loss of light to his bathroom window. 

With regard to paragraph 4.9 of the report, regarding the restrictive covenant, officers advised this should state “The Council sold off the current Turf Tavern site in 1954 with a restrictive covenant that the site had to be used as a pub. The Council have agreed to release the restrictive covenant on the basis that the owner obtains permission for not less than 8 houses together with two affordable units, which would be transferred to a RSL and available for affordable rent”.

Officers responded to issues regarding the parking at the rear of the site and the use of permeable paving which had been raised at the site visit. Officer’s stated the applicant had confirmed that permeable paving would be used if the Code for Sustainable Homes assessment required it, and pointed out that the development would result in a reduction of about 28% of the amount of hard surfacing currently on the site.

Members raised concerns about the maintenance of the shared parking area. Officers advised that an estate management committee would be set up, with 12 shareholders which equated to the number of units, who would have shared responsibility for the management of this area.

Representations were received from the agent in support of the application. He advised Members that there was a high demand for low cost housing, which this development would satisfy. He confirmed that he was aware of 18 people wanting to buy these properties, 11 of whom currently lived in the immediate vicinity. He provided clarification on how the management committee would operate.

Members noted that the covenant was not a matter for the committee to consider but acknowledged that some residents had felt aggrieved by the way in which the covenant had been lifted as they felt the process had excluded them from having their opinions heard. Members acknowledged that the amenity space for each property was very small when you took into account  storage for bicycles and bins and noted the lack of privacy in back gardens as these opened onto the communal parking area.

However Members commented that this was an admirable use of the site and agreed there was a demand for low cost housing in the area.

RESOLVED:       That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report.

REASON:             In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to:

-  Principle of development

-  Impact on visual and residential amenity

-  Sustainable development

-  Highway safety

-  Site drainage

-  Archaeology

- Loss of pub

- Contamination

- Effect on Local Facilities

As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1, GP3, GP4a, GP6, GP15, HE10, H3c, H5, T4, L1b and L1c of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.