Outline application for the erection of 50No dwellings (to include access). (Report to follow)

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the outline application for the erection of 50 no. dwellings (to include access), confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit that morning to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area.  The Principal Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the information contained within the Schedule of Additional Letters.

Dr Leonard Staines, a local resident spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         The volume of traffic that would be generated by the development could not be accommodated on the existing roads;

·         Amended plans meant that there would only be one road to the development and all traffic leaving would have to reach the A49; and

·         An adequate road structure was critical to future residents.

Amy Henson, agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         The town provided a significant range of facilities and had excellent public transport links, therefore the proposed site was highly sustainable;

·         No objections had been received from Highways;

·         Network Rail had confirmed that they had no objections to the proposal;

·         Five affordable houses would be provided on site; and

·         The proposed development meets the criteria in the NPPF.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1) Councillor Pauline Dee, as local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the room, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During her statement, the following points were raised:

·         Concerns that the town would be cut in to two by the potential future closure of the level crossing;

·         HGV movements from nearby Industrial Estates should be considered; and

·         The concerns of her local constituents were highlighted, these included flooding, the scale of the development, the development being outside the development boundary and the safety of the level crossing.

In accordance with Rule 6.1 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in Part 4 of Shropshire Council’s Constitution, Councillor Chris Mellings addressed the Committee as the Local Member, during which a number of point were raised including the following:

·         The cumulative impact on the town of Wem should be considered;

·         There was no support within the local community for this development;

·         The local school and medical centre had reached capacity; and

·         There were similarities between this application and one that had been refused in December 2014 and this created a precedent for future applications.

Having considered the submitted plans for the development, the majority of Members’ felt that whilst the concerns of local residents and the Town Council were relevant, the site was considered sustainable, as set out in the NPPF and would boost the Council’s housing land supply.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Permission be grantedin accordance with the Officer’s recommendation, subject to the applicants entering into a S106 agreement to secure affordable housing and a financial contribution towards investigating and implementation of changes to the traffic management in the area of the railway crossing and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 and an additional condition to secure the implementation of a phased programme of archaeological work.