Outline application (all matters reserved) for mixed residential development to include affordable houses; formation of estate roads and vehicular access from Lesley Owen Way

The Technical Specialist Planning Officer introduced the outline application for mixed residential development to include affordable houses; formation of estate roads and vehicular access from Lesley Owen Way. It was confirmed that the application had been previously considered by the Committee at the meeting held on 16^th February 2017 where Members had minded to refuse the application in relation to concerns regarding the adverse impact of the development on the ecology of the area. The Technical Specialist Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the Schedule of Additional Letters which included a representation from the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust requesting that the applicant liaised with them at the Reserved Matters stage.

Mr Stuart Holt, Local Resident 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 Kevin Pardy 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 area was an well used ecological corridor;

·         The Inspector in relation to a previous appeal on the site quoted that the loss of land would be detrimental to the area;

·         The application was not sustainable as there were no school places in the local area; and

·         The application was contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and to Core Strategy policies CS2, CS6 and CS17.

Mr David Parker, on behalf of the Applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

The Technical Specialist Planning Officer, in response to a number of issues raised by Members confirmed that if Members were minded to approve the application a condition could be included to request that the garden fencing should be badger proof in order to exclude badgers from domestic gardens. It was added that the comments from Shropshire Wildlife Trust had not been disregarded and that all comments had been assessed by Shropshire Council’s Ecologist who had considered that the application would not cause significant harm to the site.

Having considered the submitted plans for the proposal, the majority of Members expressed their support for the Officer’s recommendation subject to the inclusion of an additional condition in relation to badger proof fencing and an informative to request the applicant to liaise with the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust at the Reserved Matters stage.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted as per the Officer’s recommendation subject to:

·      The conditions set out in Appendix 1;

·      A S106 to secure the relevant affordable housing contribution at the Reserved Matters stage;

·      An Additional condition to state that from the outset garden fencing should be badger proof in order to exclude badgers from domestic gardens; and

·      An informative included to request that the applicant liaises with the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust at the Reserved Matters stage.