Outline planning application (all matters reserved) for mixed residential development.

In accordance with his declaration at Minute No. 19, Councillor David Roberts left the meeting during consideration of this item.

At this juncture, Councillor Peter Nutting left the meeting and did not return.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and confirmed Members had undertaken a site visit that morning and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.  With reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location and indicative site plan.

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, and his declaration at Minute No. 19, Councillor Tim Barker, as the local Ward Councillor, made a statement, took no part in the debate and did not vote.  During his statement, the following points were raised:

·      There were currently 180 houses in the village of Dorrington.  If granted this proposal, along with those granted permission (contrary to SAMDev) and those envisaged on the identified site through SAMDev would equate to a 50% increase in housing stock.  This would be socially unsustainable; and

·      He expressed concerns regarding access.

Councillor Ms S Mackay, representing Condover 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:

·         The Parish Council and villagers were against this application;

·         There was no public footway to village amenities;

·         Station Road was very narrow and there was no adequate line of site when accessing on to the A49;

·         38 further dwellings had also been approved contrary to local wishes;

·         This was a greenfield site and used for arable farming and cropped annually;

·         If approved a further application would be forthcoming;

·         It would increase the size of the village to an unacceptable level; and

·         Access to school, shops etc would have to be undertaken by car so would not be sustainable.

Ms C Denham, 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:

·         Officers were recommending approval;

·         No objections had been received from Shropshire Council’s Highways Development Control Officers or Highways Agency;

·         There was a public footpath providing a connection with the village;

·         No environmental or drainage issues had been raised.  A Flood Risk Assessment had not been required;

·         Would address housing shortage; and

·         The NPPF states that where there is a lack of a five year land supplies local policies relating to housing should be considered as being out-of-date.

In the ensuing debate, Members noted that Dorrington had been the subject of more applications than other areas; suitable sites had been ignored; this site formed part of a larger site and they were concerned that other applications would follow; HGVs used the lane constantly; the A49 was a dangerous road; all critical local services were situated on the opposite side of the A49; and local services would be outgrown and people would travel to Shrewsbury which would lead to a loss of services in Dorrington.  Some Members commented that growth should happen in a controlled manner and the proposal would not be sustainable and would be contrary to the NPPF. 

RESOLVED:

That:

·         Consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting, with Members minded to refuse the application on the basis that the proposal would not constitute a controlled manner of development within the settlement, and the social and economic damage to the village of such a dramatic and sudden increase in housing stock leading to a significant adverse impact on services and infrastructure contrary to the requirements of Paragraph 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies CS6 and CS8 of the Shropshire Core Strategy; and

·         The Area Planning Manager to prepare an advisory report on the reasons for refusal.