Agenda and minutes

To determine the application.

Gavin Taylor presented the report.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from John Jowitt who addressed the committee on behalf of the Agent. Mr Jowitt explained that the scheme marries with the Seagate Homes development which the committee approved earlier in the year, with the current application being vital to the delivery of the entire site. He stated that the allocation including the earlier approval principally through the major road works to the east that will come forward as part of the scheme.

Mr Jowitt added that the application has had the added complications of four authorities being involved due to the split nature of the site and he thanked officers for all their help. He explained that the technical challenges which have been experienced have affected the viability of the scheme with the key challenges being the access points and the presence of a high-pressure gas main across that element which needs to be diverted, with the adjacent drainage ditch also being a key issue in the area as well as the need to relocate other services such as telegraph poles and safety barriers.

Mr Jowitt added that as well as the social infrastructure provided on the Seagate site such as education there are a considerable number of shop and healthcare opportunities. He made the point that here has been a limited number of objections given the size of the scheme and there have been no statutory objections.

Mr Jowitt stated that the proposal results in benefits including the delivery of housing including the focus on elderly care accommodation on the allocated housing site in outline as well as community facilities and amenities. He explained that a significant area of trees are being protected, and the site will include areas of open space and with transport infrastructure upgrades it will not only benefit the site but will benefit businesses and residents.

Members asked Mr Jowitt the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that she is disappointed to see the lack of Section 106 contributions with the planning application as well as no affordable homes. She asked Mr Jowitt whether there was likely to be any contribution towards education? Mr Jowitt stated that he does not believe that any contributions will be made. Gavin Taylor added that through the viability assessment included in the officer’s report and presentation it states that due to primarily the significant upfront infrastructure costs necessary to deliver the scheme it was decided that it will not be viable to secure contributions for social infrastructure or affordable housing.

·         Councillor Connor stated that he agrees with the views of Councillor Mrs French that the lack of contributions is disappointing. He made the point that the committee have approved the development of a school recently for six hundred places for children and for children with additional needs and with an additional 294 houses and an average of two children per dwelling then the whole allocation of places for the newly approved school will  ...  view the full minutes text for item P31/25