Outline application for the erection of three detached houses with garages to include means of access and layout.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and confirmed Members had undertaken a site visit that morning 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 the indicative layout and design.

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting detailing further objection comments from a third party and The Strettons Civic Society and Clive Avenue Residents’ Association.

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, Councillor David Evans, 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:

·         To mitigate the concerns regarding drainage and the detrimental impact that additional surface water run-off would have on existing riparian owners, a robust drainage and attenuation scheme should be agreed and conditioned;

·         The proposed number of dwellings would have a detrimental impact on the Conservation Area and suggested that two dwellings would be preferable; and

·         A robust landscaping scheme should be approved to ensure replacement of some of the trees that had been removed.

Mr M Webster, 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:

·         His property adjoined the site and would overlook the proposed development;

·         Clive Avenue had recently been designated as an extension to the Conservation Area and, as such, any development should be carried out with care and should be sympathetic to the area;

·         Unsympathetic development had already taken place in Clive Avenue; and

·         While acknowledging that some development would be acceptable the current proposal would not be in keeping by virtue of the number of dwellings proposed, layout and style.

Mrs E Williams, 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:

·         8 out of 10 people supported the proposal and the comments of local people had been taken into account;

·         The proposal was purely indicative at this stage and matters of design would be considered at the Reserved Matters stage;

·         The proposal would be sympathetic and in keeping with the area;

·         Would deliver windfall infill development and be sustainable;

·         Trees had not been the subject of Tree Preservation Orders and all felling had been undertaken by experienced professionals;

·         There were no restrictive Covenants in place in respect of Woodland Trust;

·         S106 and CIL monies would be generated;

·         There would be no overshadowing or overlooking of other properties; and

·         Would not be contrary to the Development Plan.

In the ensuing debate Members considered the submitted plans and had noted the comments of all speakers and it was unanimously

RESOLVED:

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

·         The proposed development, by reason of the proposed number of dwellings and layout, would result in overdevelopment of the site and would detract from the character and appearance of the street scene and Conservation Area.  The development would therefore be contrary to Shropshire Core Strategy policies CS6 and CS17 and paragraphs 56 to 58, 60 and 131 of the National Planning Policy Framework.