Hybrid planning application for a residential development of up to 600 dwellings, access, footpath/cycleways, public open space, landscaping and associated drainage and development infrastructure: comprising FULL application for 353 dwellings, access from Preston Street, access from London Road and spine road, footpaths/cycleways, public open space, landscaping, demolition of existing buildings and associated infrastructure; and OUTLINE submission for (up to) 247 dwellings, footpath/cycleways, public open space, landscaping and associated development infrastructure (amended description).

Councillor Ted Clarke as local ward Councillor vacated the Chair.  Councillor Nat Green as Vice-Chairman presided as Chairman for this item.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.12 pm and reconvened at 2.21 pm to allow Members the opportunity to read the additional representations received in relation to this application. 

The Planning Services Manager introduced the hybrid planning application for a residential development of up to 600 dwellings, access, footpath/cycleway, public open space, landscaping and associated drainage and development infrastructure: comprising Full application for 353 dwellings, access from Preston Street, access from London Road and spine road, footpaths/cycleway, public open space, landscaping, demolition of existing buildings and associated infrastructure; and Outline submission for (up to) 247 dwellings, footpath/cycleway, public open space, landscaping and associated development infrastructure (amended description) and confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit on 23^rd November 2017 to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area.

The Planning Services Manager drew Members’ attention to the Schedule of Additional Letters which included representations from local residents, the Weir Hill Action Group, and the agent acting for the applicant. It was added that further representations from local residents had been received since the publication of the Schedule of Additional Letters (copy attached to the signed minutes). The Planning Services Manager referred to the proposal from the agent to reduce further the maximum number of dwellings served from a single point of access off Preston Street to 150 occupied properties and advised the Committee that if they were minded to approve the application that condition 21 be amended in line with this proposal.

Mr Malcolm Bird, on behalf of the Weir Hill Action Group spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mr Byron Granger-Jones, on behalf of the Shrewsbury Civic Society spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1), Councillor Tony Parsons addressed the Committee as the local ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During his statement, a number of points were raised including the following:

·         The pedestrian crossing was a major factor in relation to the congestion on Preston Street;

·         He welcomed the proposal from the applicant to reduce the number of dwellings served from a single point of access off Preston Street to 150 occupied properties but would prefer this to be time limited; and

·         He hoped that the open space would be managed by the Town Council and not by a management company.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules (Part 4, Paragraph 6.2), Councillor Hannah Fraser, addressed the Committee as the adjoining local ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During her statement, a number of points were raised including the following:           

·         The proposed widening of Preston Street would not alleviate the congestion caused by the pedestrian crossing;

·         Local residents do not believe the traffic management proposals will work; and

·         The development should not be at the expense of the health and amenity of local residents.

Mr Alex Bennett, agent for the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Ms Jayne Smith, agent for the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to Members the Planning Services Manager explained that as the applicant had proposed to reduce the number of dwellings served from a single point of access off Preston Street to 150 occupied properties he would assume that the number of properties under construction would be reduced to 175. He added that the timing of the proposed traffic calming measures for Preston Street would also be brought forward as a result of this proposal and therefore if Members were minded to approve the application he advised that condition 18 would require amendment to reflect this.

Further to discussion in relation to the congestion caused by the pedestrian crossing on Preston Street, the Area HDC Manager (North) explained that a signalled pedestrian crossing could be requested but a feasibility study would be required to establish if this was considered beneficial.

The agent confirmed that the applicant was willing to provide funding for a signalled pedestrian crossing if it was proved that this was beneficial and noted that if the link through the Shrewsbury College (SCAT) was not achievable the applicant was happy to explore other opportunities for the money allocated for this.

Having considered the submitted plans for the proposal and noted the comments of all the speakers, the majority of Members expressed the view that the application be approved as recommended subject to the amendments as discussed to conditions 18 and 21; the S106 legal agreement to require a feasibility study in regards to the need for a signalled pedestrian crossing on Preston Street and funding for those works if identified as feasible and beneficial; and conditions 6 & 7 to be amended as they both refer to the same thing.

RESOLVED:

Grant planning permission in accordance with the officer’s recommendation in the report to the 23 November 2017 Committee meeting subject to:

•   A S106 legal agreement in accordance with the heads of terms set out in the report to the 23 November 2017 Committee meeting as amended by paragraph 17 of this report and with an additional obligation to require a feasibility study in relation to the need for the pedestrian crossing on Preston Street to be signalled and funding for those works if identified as feasible and beneficial;

•   The conditions set out in the report to the 23 November 2017 Committee meeting; 

•   Condition 21 to be amended as follows:

No more than 150 dwellings shall be occupied on the development hereby approved with no more than 175 dwellings under construction unless and until the access to London Road as shown on the approved plan is completed and available to public traffic.  No construction traffic access for the proposed development shall be from Preston Street once the proposed London Road access is open and available for public use.

Reason:  In the interests of highway safety and to protect the amenity of residents in the vicinity of Preston Street;

•   Condition 18 to be amended as follows:

Prior to the commencement of development full engineering details of the traffic calming measures shown indicatively on Drawing No.21643-08-020-07 Rev B together with a phasing plan for the works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority; the traffic calming works shall be fully implemented in accordance with the agreed details and no later than the date of occupation of the 150th dwelling built within the development:

Reason: To provide the traffic calming measures being introduced along Preston Street and Portland Crescent as part of a coordinated scheme; and

•   Conditions 6 & 7 to be tidied up as they both refer to the same thing.