Agenda item

Erection of 9no. dwellings with associated access and parking

[Acomb Ward] [Site Visit] 

Members considered a full application from the Beckfield Lane Landowners for the erection of 9 dwellings with associated access and parking.

Officers advised that a unilateral undertaking had been received and was in the process of being checked by legal services. Their recommendation was that the application be approved subject to the completion of this unilateral undertaking, the sum covered in which would be spent on:

·        £8416 to improve safety surfacing at Acomb Green Play Area

·        £3775 towards Fishponds Wood for habitat development to improve amenity open space

·        £5325 on pitch improvements at Carr Vikings sports pitches to increase playing capacity.

Following advice from the council’s archaeologist, officer stated that condition 10 had been altered as detailed below.

Highways have confirmed that they have no objections to the revised plans subject to standard conditions covering:

·        The design and materials of adopted spaces

·        Requiring the construction of carriageway and kerbs before occupation of the dwellings

·        Full junction details to be approved

·        Car parking spaces laid out and cycle storage facilities provided before occupation of the dwellings.

They also recommended two informatives covering requirements under highway adoption and a recommendation to contact utilities before starting on the site.

Officers also recommended a condition requiring the installation of an electric vehicle recharging point at each property as part of the council’s low emissions strategy.

Mr Parker, a local resident addressed the committee on behalf of residents of Runswick Avenue, in objection to the application and raised the following concerns:

·        Loss of the garden space.

·        Parking was already a problem in the area with people parking on double yellow lines and vehicles using Runswick Avenue daily to turn around in.

·        There had been no discussion with regard to the issue of boundaries

·        Need to consider privacy of residents

·        If approved, stringent conditions needed to be attached to cover working hours and maintenance of the site.

Mr Nigel Ingram read out a statement on behalf of Jennifer Hubbard, Town Planning Consultant, who had been unable to attend the meeting, which put forward the following points:

·        Though liaison with officers and other statutory consultees, plans had been substantially amended to introduce new planting, protect adjacent off site trees and retain onsite hedging as well as reducing areas given over to hard surfacing

·        A bus stop outside the site on Beckfield Lane and nearby supermarket made it a highly sustainable site.

·        The design of buildings had been improved and included a mix of dwelling types and sizes including bungalows. Density of development, space standards and garden sizes were all consistent with the character of the surrounding area.

·        Happy to accept all proposed planning conditions. 

With regard to paragraph 3.11 (response from Foss Internal Drainage Board) officers advised that they would seek authority to add a condition to cover surface and foul water drainage if members were minded to approve the application.

Some members expressed concern about the loss of green open space, noting its use as a green infrastructure corridor. They also noted that some fruit trees would be lost and the landscaping condition didn’t specify that any of the new trees should be fruit trees. Officers agreed it would be possible to add an informative to this effect.

Members expressed their support for the scheme which they considered was relatively low density, in a sustainable location and which provided much needed housing. They acknowledged that the applicants had been keen to address objectors concerns and noted the concerns raised regarding parking and traffic in Runswick Avenue. With regard to whether any parking/traffic improvements were possible to ameliorate the situation, officers advised that it was normal practice for a development to be completed then look at options of extending double yellow lines or making other changes if needed.

Resolved:  That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report, the completion of a section 106 agreement, the amendment to condition 10 (below), additional conditions to cover:

·        the installation of an electric vehicle recharging point at each property as part of the council’s low emissions strategy

·        boundary treatments,

·        surface and foul water drainage

and informatives to cover:

·        requirements under highway adoption

·        recommendation to contact utilities before starting on the site

·        a request that consideration be given to including new fruit trees in the landscaping scheme.

Amended Condition 10

No work shall commence on site until the applicant has secured the implementations of a programme of archaeological work (strip, map and record) in accordance with the specification supplied by the Local Planning Authority. This programme and the archaeological unit shall be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before development commences.

Reason:     The site lies within an area of archaeological importance and the development will affect important archaeological deposits which must be recorded prior to destruction.

Reason:     The application will provide for new residential development which is a key objective of the NPPF.  In terms of its visual impact, the impact on neighbouring residential amenity, the provision of off-site open space and highways and parking considerations, subject to conditions and a unilateral undertaking the application is considered to comply with the NPPF and policies within the Development Control Local Plan.