Agenda item

Erection of 13 no. dwellings with access from Hornbeam Close. Two storey side extensions to 11 and 12 Hornbeam Close. [Skelton, Rawcliffe, Clifton Without Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a major full application (13 weeks) by Berkeley DeVeer for the erection of thirteen dwellings with access from Hornbeam Close and two storey side extensions to 11 and 12 Hornbeam Close.

Officers advised that since publication of the report, the applicant had made  minor changes which had been sought by the council’s landscape architect and corrected errors in the plan numbering with the result in condition 2 requiring amendment.

In response to a query raised at the site visit, officers advised that the highway authority had confirmed that Hornbeam Close had been adopted as a public highway.  As to notification, the highway authority had a standard list of internal and external recipients mainly comprising statutory undertakers, the emergency services, ward/parish councillors, the Land Registry and relevant council departments such as street cleaning, refuse services and highway maintenance.  Local residents were not individually notified although the status of local roads normally showed up on local searches.

Members had also asked whether construction access would or could be taken from Centurion Office Park rather than from Hornbeam Close.  The applicant had told officers that he would be happy for construction access to be taken exclusively from the office park up until the highway connection was made with Hornbeam Close at the end of the construction period.

Lastly, Officers reported that they understood that the unilateral undertaking for a financial contribution towards open space was nearing completion.

In response to a question from Members, Officers advised that as the proposed development was an extension of an existing residential area, once built it was deemed more sensible for access to be from the existing residential area rather than through the business park. The applicant has made a private arrangement for access through the grounds of two existing houses.

Mr Andrew Hards, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application on behalf of all residents of the close.

He expressed concerns that the proposals would lead to an increase in traffic in Hornbeam Close, potentially including larger vehicles, and that the shared surface would come to an end. He advised Members that although traffic  was modest during the week, it was bad at weekends.

Mr Jason Whitfield, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application. He advised Members that this was a suitable and sustainable site for new housing. He confirmed that access to the new development through the existing housing estate was preferential to access through the industrial estate which could lead to more highway safety issues and increase journey times to schools etc.

Members agreed that it was preferential for the development to become part of the existing cul-de-sac acknowledging that if access was from the north there was a risk of it becoming a through road. They felt that it would improve the area.

Councillor Warters asked that it be recorded that he voted against the motion to approve the application.

Resolved:  That the application be approved subject to a Section 106 Agreement and subject to the conditions listed in the report and the amended condition below:

Amended Condition 2

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following plans: 521/01A, 521/03B, 521/04/B, 521/05A, 521/06, 521/07, 521/10, 521/11, 521/12, 521/11HB/03A, 521/11HB/04B, 521/12HB/03D and 521/12HB/04D

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and to ensure that the development is carried out only as approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason      The application would provide 13 dwellings in a sustainable and accessible location.  The layout respected the character of the adjacent residential area and was of appropriate density and design.  The development would contribute £34,992 towards open space.  The application accorded with national planning policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and local planning policy in the 2005 City of York Draft Local Plan.