Agenda item

An amendment sheet was circulated to members in advance. It was noted that an additional neighbour’s comment had been received for this application. Most of the issues they raised had already been addressed in the report. An additional condition would require the implementation of stringent measures in the event that unexpected contaminated land was identified.

The representative of the Service Director – Planning and Development made the following points:

(1)   There had been 18 objections received to the application covering issues such as amenity, parking and impact on the area;

(2)   Details of the site plan were shown;

(3)   The application site was adjacent to a detached dwelling;

(4)   The proposed dwelling would not be visible from 3 Eastover Close;;

(5)   Whilst 5 trees would be removed as part of the development, conditions would require a landscape plan to address this. In officers’ view it would not, therefore, be appropriate for the application to be refused for this reason;

(6)   The scale and massing of the application was acceptable;

(7)   Whilst concerns raised by residents concerning construction vehicles were noted. However, officers believed that this would not disrupt or harm the amenity of the area as it was not of a sufficient scale;

(8)   Officers considered there would be no detriment to highway safety.

In response to Councillors’ comments, officers made the following points:

(9)   The situation at the previous development at 23 Falcondale Walk was not a similar situation since this included a raised garden area;

(10)                       Whilst neighbours’ concerns about construction vehicles were noted, it would be inappropriate to include an Advice Note restricting access to Eastover Close since the developers would have to access it to carry out the necessary works;

(11)                       There was another window at ground floor level on the bottom left of the site (when looking at the side elevation) which served as a living room. However, whilst officers had some concerns about this window since they preferred windows which were openable and not at an angle, these were the ones which had been proposed and minimal harm would be caused by them. Officers did not believe it would be reasonable to refuse an application on these grounds;

(12)                       The development met the Council’s current policy DM21 concerning  developments in existing gardens. It was within walking distance of the Falcondale Road Bus Stop. The Committee were reminded of the Council’s Core Strategy policies which set a target for 600 new homes and a windfall assumption of 4,200 small unidentified sites;

(13)                       Whilst concerns about indirect access to local centres were noted, officers considered this application to be an appropriate high density development;

(14)                       In response to a Councillor’s disappointment that this application was exempt from CIL funding as it was a self-build project, officers confirmed that there were national regulations in place concerning CIL with which the Council was required to comply.

A Councillor stated that he was pleased to note the situation concerning bus routes and, whilst not a fan of infill building, stated that it was important to agree with applicants if possible. There seemed no reason to refuse the application.

Councillor Olly Mead moved, seconded by Councillor Donald Alexander that the application be approved.

Councillor Carla Denyer moved and amendment, seconded by Councillor Richard Eddy that an additional condition be included “to restrict the hours of operation of construction to Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and on Saturday at 10am to 5pm (the latter shorter hours acknowledging that this was a self-build application) and with the inclusion of an Advice Note that construction vehicles should not use private driveways to turn in”.

Officers confirmed that, as the application was self-build, it was important that the permitted construction hours allowed a reasonable time to carry out building works whilst protecting the amenity of residents.

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was CARRIED (10 for - unanimously).

Upon being put to the vote, the amended motion was CARRIED (9 for, 0 against, 1 abstention).

Resolved – that the recommendations contained in the report be approved together with an additional condition to restrict the hours of operation of construction to Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and on Saturday at 10am to 5pm (the latter shorter hours acknowledging that this was a self-build application) and with the inclusion of an Advice Note that construction vehicles should not use private driveways to turn in.