Proposed Residential Development including creation of new vehicular and pedestrian access roads (Outline Proposal).

The Principal Planner introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location.  He provided a verbal update on comments received following the publication of the report relating to third party comments which had suggested alternative uses for the site and confirmed that Severn Trent Water had raised no objections to the proposal subject to an appropriate condition to ensure that surface water and foul water would be managed appropriately.

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 John Hurst-Knight, 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:

·         He had offered and would be willing to work with the Bridgnorth Community Group (BCG) to explore possible funding avenues for this site, but, despite requests, no Business Plan had been proffered by the BCG;

·         There were many other outlets and sites in the Bridgnorth area that could accommodate the suggested alternative uses for this site;

·         Much money would have to be spent on the site to bring it up to health and safety standards; and

·         Housing on this site would be appropriate, and housing, particularly affordable housing, was desperately needed in Bridgnorth.

Mr P Passant, 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:

·         No dialogue had been undertaken between the BCG and Councillor John Hurst-Knight;

·         The site was situated in an affluent area of Bridgnorth so would not provide the much-needed affordable housing;

·         He had met with the Leader and Officers of Shropshire Council who had afforded the BCG a further week to produce a Business Plan.  There was already an architect and developer on board and the Business Plan was currently being processed; and

·         On behalf of the community, he urged the Committee to give the BCG the opportunity to provide employment and affordable housing on the site as part of the business plan.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Passant explained that as part of the process the BCG would consider right-to-buy schemes and he envisaged that a timeline of six months would be required to explore and obtain funding.

Councillor J Gittins, representing Bridgnorth Town 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:

·         There was a shortage of assets in Bridgnorth that could be used for community use;

·         The leisure centre was in a poor state of repair and the youth centre, which was well-used by the community, was under the threat of closure;

·         Bridgnorth Town Council had determined that the site should be retained for generating employment or commercial use;

·         Up to 500 homes had been earmarked at Tasley as part of the Site Allocations and Management Development (SAMDev) Plan but no community asset had been identified.  Drop-in surgeries, medical facilities, nurseries and primary schools were at bursting point; and

·         Apart from the main building there were outbuildings that could be used as small starter units and Bridgnorth Town Council had offered to assist the BCG with their application.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  Members reiterated and noted that the application was at outline stage only and the use of the site and number and type of housing would be determined at a later stage and they hoped that any future proposal would meet the aspirations and needs of the local community.  A Member expressed his support and offered to work with the BCG to help them put forward a scheme that would benefit the local area and to identify possible funding.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted as per the Officer’s recommendation, subject to:

·         Completion of a Memorandum of Understanding to secure affordable housing and maintenance of any public open space by an appropriate body through a Section 106 Legal Agreement; and

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

(The meeting adjourned at 3.20 pm and reconvened at 3.25 pm.)