Agenda item

To determine the application.

Tracy Ranger presented the report to members

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Matthew Hall, the agent, and Archie Hirson, the applicant. Mr Hall stated that the applicants have lived in Manea for 30 years and there is a material planning change with the application due to the fact the proposed dwellings are smaller 2 and 3 bedroomed properties which are more affordable rather than the larger dwellings which were applied for and refused previously. He made the point that smaller properties have been approved previously, such as Lavender Mill Bungalow at Fallow Corner in the last 18 months, which are in Flood Zone 3.

Mr Hall stated that there are no objections from the Highway Authority, Environment Agency or Ecology and all of the buildings will be located outside of the Middle Level Commissioners 9 metre strip. He explained that the application site is located within 390 metres of easy walking distance to the train station and there is an adoptable footpath from the site all the way to the north.

Mr Hall referred to the presentation screen and identified other planning permissions which have been approved in Manea and are located in Flood Zone 3, located both to the north and the south of the site, with the map demonstrating that there are a lot of properties to the north, east and south of the site and the proposal is not in an elsewhere location which the officer has also confirmed in their report. He made the point that in the officer’s report it states that the principle of development is acceptable given its location and the proposal complies with LP15 and LP16 and, in his opinion, there have been other planning approvals given to dwellings much further out and to those adjacent to the site.

Mr Hirson explained that he has lived in Manea for the last 30 years and planted the hedge on the Wimblington Road and whilst both himself and his brother are not developers they wish to seek an opportunity to give back to the community. He stated that it is a modest development in an area of Manea which suits this type of development and will bring the opportunity forward for families to live together which suits the village of Manea as it is a multigenerational area.

Mr Hirson stated that the proposal is the ideal opportunity to bring honest housing forward for honest people at a time where it is fundamentally and crucially needed in a location where it benefits from the infrastructure invested in Manea Train Station and the surrounding area.

Members asked the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that there had been two previous applications, one in March 2024 for four dwellings refused and November 2022 for four dwellings which was also refused and she asked for clarification as to what has changed since the last application was refused in 2024, particularly now the number of dwellings has doubled. Mr Hall explained that the previous applications were for large four and five bedroomed dwellings, there has been a compete rethink on the proposal and smaller dwellings have been put forward, which has meant more of a dense development and had the application been for a smaller number of dwellings it would have meant a significant under development of the area.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Mrs French referred to 5.7 of the officer’s report relating to the Middle Level Commissioners and stated that if planning permission is granted it does not necessarily mean that it will get built out as there are strict rules with regards to the 9-metre access strip.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs French, seconded by Councillor Connor and agreed that the application be REFUSED as per the officer’s recommendation.

(Councillor Marks declared that the applicant is his former doctor and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon. He further declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he is a member of Manea Parish Council but takes no part in planning)

(Councillor Benney declared that the agent has undertaken work for Chatteris Town Council and himself personally, but he is not pre-determined and will consider the application with an open mind)

(Councillor Murphy declared that he knows the agent, but he is not pre-determined, and will consider the application with an open mind)

(Councillor Purser declared that the agent has undertaken work for him, but he is not pre-determined, and will consider the application with an open mind)