Agenda item

Residential development of 53 dwellings with associated public open space, access, infrastructure, and pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss. [Strensall Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a major full application by Mr Paul Butler for a residential development of 53 dwellings with associated public open space, access, infrastructure and pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss.

Officers circulated an update to the Committee report, full details of which are attached to the online agenda for this meeting. The update covered the following points:

·        Details of affordable housing.

·        Comments from the Councils Communities and Culture and Conservation Officers.

·        Comments from various organisations including English Heritage and Ramblers Association.

·        Comments from Strensall Parish Council.

·        Revisions to Conditions 6, 7 and 37

·        Additional conditions for consideration.

Members queried with Officers the funding through the Section 106 agreement relating to the bus real time BLISS display and whether this could be a flexible condition, in particular regarding location. Officers confirmed they had taken advice from Highways regarding what the funding could be spent on but further discussion could take place if required.

The Applicant, Paul Butler, had registered to speak in support of the application. He advised that he will be delivering a scheme at a site that is considered to be an eyesore and if approval is given, workers can be onsite within weeks with a view to delivering some new homes by the end of 2013. Strensall Parish Council are in support of the scheme and welcome a derelict site being brought into use.  50 direct jobs would be created with  a further 100 indirect jobs. The development would support the Primary School in the village and generate income for business in the locality.

Mr. Chapman spoke on behalf of Strensall Parish Council. He advised that the Parish Council supports the development and had been in discussions with the developer since 2012. There had been concerns regarding play provision which had yet to be resolved but this did not stop them supporting the application. He asked if further consideration could be given to the location of the 30mph sign as the Parish Council feel it should be located further out to before the cemetery.

Members questioned a number of points including:

·        Members asked Mr. Chapman if the Parish Council had any suggestions for the provision of play space. He advised that the Parish Council would like all children in the village to benefit from any facility and they would not like to see any provision limited to just the application site.

·        Queried the materials to be used as some Members felt the shade of red brick in the drawings was too bright.

Following further discussion it was:

RESOLVED:       Delegated Authority to Approve subject to the completion of a legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act and subject to the following conditions and any additional conditions required following the submission of further information.

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: the principle of residential development, design and visual appearance, impact to the conservation area and the listed bridge, boundary treatment, retention of the existing trees and hedges, residential amenity of occupants of the proposed houses, neighbouring amenity, highways, drainage, sustainability, open space and education provision, and landscaping. As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1, GP3, GP4a, GP9, GP15a, NE2, NE8, HE2, HE3, HE4, HE11, T2a, T4, T5, T7c, T13a, T18, H2a, H4a, E3b, ED4, and L1c of the City of York Development Control Local Plan and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.