Outline application (access, layout for approval) for mixed residential development; formation of a vehicular access and associated infrastructure.

The Area Planning and Building Control Manager introduced the application and confirmed that Members had undertaken a site visit that morning to view the site and had assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.  With reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, proposed layout and proposed street scene. 

Mr D Kilby, a local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council's scheme for public speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         The development would not be sustainable;

·         The current situation with regard to the sub-five year land supply meant villages were currently in a state of chaos;

·         The Local Planning Authority should maintain and ensure protection of the green belt; and

·         Sustainable development should mean change for the better

Mr I Hutchinson, clerk to Montford Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council's scheme for public speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         He expressed serious concerns relating to the cumulative impact this development would have on the area;

·         The proposal would be contrary to Montford PCs Housing Strategy;

·         He commented that the Parish Council had no objections to the development of five homes on any one plot, but objected to 34;

·         If any development was approved it should be built on the opposite side of the road; and

·         He expressed sympathy with the difficulties this Committee was currently experiencing with regard to the sub-five year land supply, but urged refusal.

Mr S Taylor, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council's scheme for public speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         He drew Members’ attention to the current situation with regard to the sub-five year land supply;

·         The increase in provision from 10 to 34 would be in accordance with the NPPF to bring forward sustainable development; and

·         The development would support local facilities and services and Montford Bridge would become more sustainable as a result.

In the ensuing debate Members expressed concern that the development would take out of production a substantial amount of high quality agricultural land and 34 dwellings would seriously and irrevocably impact upon the character of the area.  They noted that services and facilities were limited and there was no Post Office, shop or village hall and commented that the proposal would be contrary to the SAMDev Plan and the Parish Council’s Housing Strategy.

RESOLVED:

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

·         The development would have an adverse impact upon the economic viability of the local area by taking high grade agricultural land out of production (contrary to paragraph 112 of the National Planning Policy Framework); and

·         Would severely impact upon the social sustainability of the settlement by systematically and immediately increasing the size of the settlement by an unacceptable amount which would irrevocably and permanently adversely impact upon the small settlement, which has very limited services and which will then become incapable of providing its population without the need to rely on services outside of the area and travel extensively so to do.