Agenda item

Former Lowfield School, Dijon Avenue, York [17/02428/FULM]

Erection of 96 two and three storey houses, 26 bungalows and three storey 18 apartment building with new access and associated infrastructure [Westfield Ward] [Site Visit]

Minutes:

[Note: Councillor K Taylor returned to the meeting for consideration of this application].

 

Members considered a major full application from City Of York Council for the erection of 96 two and three storey houses, 26 bungalows and three storey 18 apartment building with new access and associated infrastructure.

 

An officer update was given. Members were advised that a detailed consultation response had been received from Strategic Planning raising no objection to the proposal. Attention was also drawn to Policy G15 Loss of Open Space and Playing Fields in addition to the policies within the Publication Draft Local Plan previously highlighted within the report attention was drawn to Policy G15 Loss of Open Space and Playing Fields in which indicated that development would not be permitted that would lead to loss of open space of environmental and/or  recreational importance unless the open space can be replaced by provision at an equivalent or better standard within the wider area.

 

Members were further advised that a revised response had been received from Education Services which reduced the commuted sum payment in respect of educational places to £438,812.  It was confirmed that additional conditions applied to the outline approval applied to this application also.

 

In response to Member questions it was confirmed that permitted development rights in respect of reselling of the bungalows could be removed . It was also clarified that there would be a separate planning application for the self build plots.

 

Samantha Judd, a local resident, addressed the Committee on behalf of a number of local residents neighbouring the site. She explained that she understood the need for affordable housing but thought that the site was being used to compensate for developments that could be built elsewhere, such as at the former Manor School site. She expressed concern regarding the creation of an entrance to the site on Tudor Road and the impact this would have on traffic. 

 

Michael Jones (Commercial Project Manager, City of York Council) on behalf of the applicant spoke in support of the application. He noted that the houses contained within the application would be built quickly and would be affordable, with the first homes to be occupied by 2019. He detailed the types of accommodation that would make up the 140 homes. He noted that the homes were sustainable, with car charging and cycle parking available in each of the homes.

 

In answer to questions from the Committee, Michael Jones clarified:

·        The position of the dormer windows on the bungalows

·        The addition of a second storey to the bungalows would require a new planning application

·        That the inclusion of a boundary treatment could be conditioned

·        That there was a lift in the apartment block

 

Clarification was given on the removal of permitted development rights and with reference to retaining hedges on the boundary of the site, it was noted that boundary treatment could be conditioned.

 

Following debate it was:

 

Resolved: That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the following amended and additional conditions:

 

·        Planting for the lifetime of the scheme [amendment]

·        Barrier at entrance on tudor road

·        Use of renewable energy

·        Boundary treatment on the hedges on the boundary of the site.

·        Permitted development rights on the bungalows be removed

 

Reasons:

                     i.        The former Lowfield School comprises a large open grassed site of 4.54 hectares  formerly occupied by a Secondary School lying to the south west of the Acomb District Centre. The former school playing field has been used by Woodthorpe Wanderers a Junior Football team who have subsequently relocated to a site in Dringhouses and merged with another local team leaving the playing field unused. Full planning permission is sought for the erection of 96 two and three storey dwelling houses, 26 bungalows and a three storey apartment block containing 18 apartments.  It is considered that the proposal would not be premature in terms of the delivery of the 2018 Draft Plan. At the same time appropriate re-provision  has been made in terms of the playing fields to be lost. The site has been designed to respect its surroundings in terms of its design, layout and density and would secure the delivery of a site allocated for housing in furtherance of the requirements of the NPPF.

 

                    ii.        In applying the relevant planning balance, it is not considered that there are any adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal when assessed against the policies of the NPPF as a whole. As a result, approval is recommended.

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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