Erection of 40 dwellings; formation of vehicular access, site landscaping including central open space and infrastructure.

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the application. She drew Members’ attention to the schedule of additional letters and confirmed that Members had attended a site visit that morning and had assessed the impact of the proposed development on the surrounding area.

Mr Mike Nimmo, on behalf of local residents, spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         Local residents were strongly opposed to the application;

·         The site had been removed from SAMDev due to significant objections;

·         The development would increase surface water run-off;

·         The road dimensions in the report were inaccurate;

·         A traffic impact assessment was required; 

·         The proposal would restrict on street parking for local residents; and

·         The layout was not appropriate and the development was the thin edge of the wedge.

Ms Cathy Elfe, 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:

·         There had been extensive consultation with officers and local residents;

·         The number of units had been reduced in response to concerns raised;

·         The development would include electric car charging points;

·         The development would not adversely affect highway safety and drainage; and

·         The proposal would meet the need for market and affordable housing.

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Council held on 27 February 2014, Councillor Peggy Mullock, as the local Ward Councillor, made a statement, took no part in the debate and did not vote. During her statement the following points were raised:

·         She agreed with the all the points made by Mr Nimmo;

·         The public consultation carried out by the applicant was completed for the SAMDev and had not been done since; and

·         The traffic issues were clear on the site visit and the development cannot be justified due to these issues.

The Principal Planning Officer clarified the reason why the site was not carried forward as a preferred option site and responded to concerns raised in relation to highway safety, confirming that the Council Highway Officer had advised that the potential impact of the development upon traffic/on-street parking issues would not be materially worsened.  

The Principal Planning Officer, in response to a query regarding visibility advised that a condition could be included to ensure the roadside hedgerow was maintained as part of the management agreement. The majority of Members expressed the view that whilst they had sympathy with the views of the local community regarding highway safety, they considered that it would be difficult to find reasons to refuse the application that would be sustainable on appeal.

Having considered the submitted plans for the proposal, the majority of Members expressed their support for the Officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED:

That subject to:

·      The applicants entering into a S106 legal agreement to secure the on-site affordable housing; to provide the open space and financial contributions towards the provision of a bus shelter, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Wrexham Road (if required), maintenance of the open space and surface water drainage system;

·      The conditions set out in appendix 1; and

·      An additional condition to ensure that the roadside hedgerow was maintained to provide visibility.

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

Councillor Gerald Dakin requested that it be recorded that he voted against the application.

(Councillors Paul Wynn and Karen Calder withdrew from the meeting whilst consideration of the next item took place.)