Outline application for residential development (14 houses) to include access (revised proposal).

The Principal Planner introduced the application for outline permission with all matters reserved.  He confirmed that Members had undertaken a site visit that morning to view the site and assess the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.  With reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, access and amended layout.  He confirmed that two of the dwellings would be affordable with the remainder being for open market sale and the number of proposed dwellings had been reduced to nine dwellings to meet ecological requirements linked to the Clun catchment.  He drew Members’ attention to the objections which had been addressed in the report and explained that, in addition to an affordable housing contribution, a financial contribution from the applicant would fund a priority junction arrangement at the Kerry Lane/Woodbatch Road junction. 

With reference to policy, the Principal Planner explained that Bishops Castle had been identified as a market town and Key Centre in the adopted Core Strategy and new housing would be developed through a combination of one allocated site (40 houses) and a windfall allowance.  The proposed site had not been allocated in the Pre-Deposit Draft SAMDev Plan and was outside (to the immediate west of) the development boundary of the town.  However, in the current sub-five year housing supply situation the NPPF required sustainable development to be approved.

The Principal Planner explained that the site was immediately adjacent to the existing built edge of Bishops Castle and within 500m of the geographic centre.  Therefore, the general location was considered to be sustainable.  In terms of traffic, Highway Officers had determined that a highway refusal could not be sustained and the applicant’s offer to fund signage for a priority junction at the Kerry Lane/Woodbatch Road intersection would be welcomed.  No objections had been received from Land Drainage Officers and interceptor ditches would be placed on the western and eastern boundaries and would help to address problems encountered by residents of the Novers to the immediate east. Mains sewerage had been proposed and a biodisc plant would provide an appropriate back-up plan.  The site would not be visible from the AONB; however, because of its relatively elevated location the applicant had agreed, in principle, to specify less tall 1½ storey houses or bungalows and landscaping to integrate the site with its surroundings. 

In conclusion, the Principal Planner drew Members’ attention to the NPPF which stated that there was a national need for housing and emphasised the associated economic and social benefits.  The type of housing would be capable of meeting a local need and it had therefore been concluded that, whilst the site was not allocated in the emerging SAMDev, it met relevant sustainability tests and there would be no unacceptable adverse impacts when available mitigation measures and conditions were taken into account.  The proposal was therefore recommended for approval subject to the required affordable housing contribution.

Members noted the additional information detailed in the Schedule of Additional Letters which had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11