Outline application (to include access) for use of land for residential development.

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the outline application, confirming that Members had attended a site visit on 2^nd June 2014 and had assessed the impact of the proposed development on the surrounding area. With reference to the plan of Morda displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location of the site in relation to the other planning applications in Morda and a current scheme for Severnside Housing that was near completion. He explained that one of the accesses to the site was located in flood zone 3 and as such it would be expected that people and property would be located out of that area. He further explained that following an assessment it had been agreed by the applicant that the access road would be elevated to avoid any potential problems, but if flooding did occur residents would be able to use the alternative access via the Severnside development.

Principal Planning Officer read out a late representation in relation to ecology issues and suggested that if Members were minded to approve the application an additional condition would be required in relation to this issue.

Councillor Robert Milton, representing Oswestry Rural Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which the following points were raised:

·         The Parish Council strongly opposed the development and did not support any development in Morda until the community had been consulted;

·         Morda had seen a number large scale development in recent years which had increased traffic in the village;

·         Residents would be likely to use Weston Road, a narrow unclassified lane, to avoid town centre routes;

·         The Village Hall would be adversely affected by the development;

·         The school was already full to capacity; and

·         There were other sites with planning permission or Brownfield sites available.

Mr Stuart Taylor, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which the following points were raised:

·         The proposal was a logical extension to the village and had limited visual impact;

·         The development was an extension to the Severnside development;

·         The one access would be via the Severnside development which was near completion;

·         There would be a safe walking route into the village;

·         The development would not adversely affect highway safety;

·         A condition could be included to avoid the road through the site being used as a rat run; and

·         The scheme would increase the housing supply in Shropshire.

In response to the Chairman’s query in relation to the two accesses to the site, the agent confirmed that both accesses could be used by residents and noted that the Weston Road access was, on its own, acceptable to the developer if the Committee were opposed to two accesses.

Having considered the submitted plans for the proposal, the majority of Members expressed support for the Officer’s recommendation but had concerns regarding issues relating to the layout, access and highway safety and requested that matters reserved for later approval be determined by this Committee

RESOLVED:

That subject to:

·      The conditions set out in Appendix 1;

·      The applicant entering into a S106 agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing;

·      Additional conditions relating to ecology as per verbally updated by the Principal Planning Officer; and

·      Matters in relation to access and layout reserved for later approval be determined by this Committee.

Outline Planning Permission be granted in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.