Outline application (access for consideration) for residential development (up to 140 dwellings) including demolition of building 1; formation of access roads and associated highways, engineering and accommodation works (REVISED SCHEME).

The Area Planning Manager introduced the outline application (access for consideration) for residential development (up to 140 dwellings) including demolition of building 1; formation of access roads and associated highways, engineering and accommodation works (REVISED SCHEME) and explained that at the meeting held on 30^th August 2018 the Committee had resolved to defer the application to allow the applicant to provide further information in relation to traffic issues identified by Members. It was confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit to assess the impact of the proposed development on the surrounding area on 30^th August 2018.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1), Councillor Ioan Jones 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 information provided was a summary of the previous traffic assessment;

·         The Grange site of the Shrewsbury Academy was due to close soon and would have a detrimental impact on traffic in the area as children would be transported to the Sundorne site; and

·         The infrastructure was unable to cope with any more traffic in the area.

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

In the ensuing debate Members raised concerns about the impact of the development on the highways network and stated that the traffic surveys had not taken new development in the area into consideration. Additionally Members were concerned in relation to the Public Open Space shortfall and considered that this should be in line with the adopted policy.

In response to comments, the Area Planning Manager assured Members that Highways Development Control were satisfied with the traffic assessments undertaken by the developer and considered the surveys to be robust. He added that Highways Development Control were aware of previous approvals in the area and had taken these into account when assessing the proposal. Responding to comments in relation to the proposed open space not being in accordance with the adopted policy, the Area Planning Manager reminded Members that the application was in outline only and could be amended at the reserved matters stage.

Having considered the submitted plans and listened to the comments made by the speakers the majority of Members expressed their objection to the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be refused contrary to the Officer’s recommendation for the following reason:

The proposed development would involve the use of protected employment land for residential development and would therefore be contrary to adopted development plan policies namely CS13 and CS14 (Core Strategy) and MD4 and MD9 (SAMDev). It was acknowledged that the proposal would involve development of a brownfield site and would deliver some benefits in terms of securing the applicants long term aspirations on the adjoining site; some very localised highway improvements; contributing to housing delivery including affordable housing; and providing some short term economic benefits. The Committee considered however that these benefits were insufficient to outweigh the clear conflict with the development plan policies, combined with the identified adverse impact of the proposal in terms of increased congestion on the local highway network, and the fact that the proposed open space was not in accordance with adopted policy MD2 notwithstanding the offer of a financial contribution intended to compensate for the deficiency.