Mixed residential development of 66 dwellings and garages.

(At this juncture, the Vice Chairman took the Chair.)

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, the Chairman Councillor Stuart West, as the local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the room and took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During his statement, the following points were raised:

·         Notwithstanding his comments expressed at the previous meeting which had reflected his concerns with regard to the overdevelopment and cumulative impact on Shifnal, he commented that this particular site would be suitable and acknowledged that the site had been identified as a possible site in the Revised Preferred Options version of the Site Allocations and Management Development (SAMDev) Plan; and

·         Shifnal did not currently have a sensible road network to cope with all this additional traffic, however, possible schemes such as ‘shared space’ were currently being considered.

With reference to Minute No. 22, the Area Planning and Building Control Manager introduced the application and drew Members’ attention to a letter submitted by the applicant following the last meeting which had indicated that there was no evidence to conclude that any harm would come from the development and the £350,000 Community Infrastructure Levy monies would go towards the provision of medical and school facilities and to address infrastructure issues.

Members had undertaken a site visit on a previous occasion and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.

Ms J Hodson, 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:

·         Consultation with Planning Officers had been undertaken prior to submitting the application;

·         The development would provide a mix of affordable and two/four bedroomed houses;

·         Drainage and ecology had been considered satisfactory and no technical issues had been raised; and

·         This was a very sustainable site and she urged approval.

In response to questions from Members, the Area Planning and Building Control Manager and the Area Highways Development Control Manager (South) explained that work was currently being undertaken on developing a Travel and Movement Strategy for Shifnal; there were insufficient highway safety implications to justify refusal; and Shropshire Council had an obligation to determine the planning application and to defer the proposal until the Travel and Movement Strategy was in place was not a recommended way forward.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted as a departure subject to:

·         Satisfactory agreement being reached on a Section 106 Agreement relating to affordable housing provision;

·         Contributions to the Travel and Movement Strategy for Shifnal and reduction of speed limit on a section of the A464 Wolverhampton Road;

·         Provision and maintenance of the open space by an appropriate body;

·         Satisfactory amendments being made to the Great Crested Newt mitigation strategy;

·         The conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

·         Development to commence before the expiration of two years from the date of permission.

(At this point the Chairman returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.)