Agenda item

Construction of vehicle access from Naburn Lane [Wheldrake Ward].

Members considered a full application, submitted by the City of York Council, for the construction of a vehicle access from Naburn Lane.

Officers updated Members and circulated a sheet, which detailed amendments to suggested conditions. The first related to an amended plan which had now been received showing all the land, which was required for the access road. The second change referred to the addition of the words “Notwithstanding the submitted details” and the third change was to Condition 8 to ensure that prior to commencement of the development a scheme should be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Officers also confirmed that the hedge along Naburn Lane was in the ownership of the Council, as Highway Authority who would be responsible for the replacement of new hedging should any die or be removed. They also confirmed that the total area of agricultural land to be lost by the construction work represented 0.8% of the total holding of Naburn Lodge Farm.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the imposition of the following amended conditions:

                                    i) Condition 2 (Plans): The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following plans: -

Drawing no. HE/DEC/07010/151-102 Rev.A 'Proposed Access onto B1222' dated 22/08/07July 2007 and received 22 August 2007;

or any plans or details subsequently agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority as amendment to the approved plans.

ii) Condition 6 (Access Road): Notwithstanding the submitted details, the access road, including edge restraint, shall be constructed a minimum of 2.5m from the base of the hedge along Naburn Lane and along the northern boundary of the field.

iii) Condition 8 (Hedge planting): Prior to the commencement of development, a scheme shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority for the planting of native hedgerow to fill gaps in the full length of the hedge along the site frontage with Naburn Lane, to the following specification: Staggered, double row, 60cm to 90cm high plants, 30cm spacing between plants.  Composed of 60% hawthorn, 20% blackthorn and the remaining percentage made up of the following: Dog Rose, Dogwood, Hazel, Field Maple, Holly, Guelder Rose.

The hedging shall be planted before the end of the next tree planting season (November-March) following the completion of the development in a location suitable for the growth of the hedge/trees.

Any new hedging that within a period of five years from the completion of the development dies, is removed or becomes seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species.

REASON:                  In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the purpose and openness of the Green Belt, agricultural land, hedgerow and highway safety.  As such the proposal complies with Planning Policy Guidance Note 2: Green Belts, Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation and Policies GP1, GP14, NE1, GB1of the City of York Draft Local Plan.