Agenda item

To determine the application.

Hayleigh Parker-Haines presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Matthew Hall, the agent. Mr Hall stated that in the officer’s report it states that this is an elsewhere location but since the application was refused planning approval has been given by the committee for three plots directly to the north of the site shown on the map on the presentation screen which also highlights some change in the character of the area. He added that when he looked at this, he recalled an application for which he was the agent for in 2018 under delegated powers which was 380 metres to the west and the bungalow was much further out of Dodington but on the same side of the road on Benwick Road and that was given approval, which was not a replacement and was considered under delegated approval.

Mr Hall explained that all of this site is in Flood Zone 1 and he has considered the Cambridge County Council Highway’s comments who have no objection to the application, he has discussed them with the applicant and should the application be approved, like with the other applications there, it will be a requirement to provide a passing place, and they agree that it can be provided within the highway verge. He stated that should the application be approved then that passing place would have to be included and would form part of the technical part of the application and the applicant is aware that some improvements need to be undertaken.

Mr Hall expressed the opinion that since the first application was refused three years ago there are material planning changes and the actual site area red line has been reduced by about a quarter, and it brings it away from some of the back gardens in Askham Row. He explained that he knows it is indicative but he has also increased the number of dwellings because on the first application that was refused he was told it was under development and he made the point that the second reason for refusal in the officer’s report is incorrect because it says the proposal is for three dwellings but on the application form and the indicative drawings submitted it states four.

Mr Hall added that directly to the north of this site, further plots have been approved, and the application site has not been used for agricultural use for at least 10 years. He referred to the presentation screen and highlighted the application site in relation to the other sites and made the point that there are lots of approvals that have been given in the vicinity since about 2020 and he does not consider this not part of Doddington.

Mr Hall explained that to the north of the site Mega Plants is located and there are numerous planning approvals, some of those are already built out, some sold and some of them are being built. He added that to the east Doddington Hospital is located and to the left there is Askham Care Home as well as further residential dwellings further past there.

Mr Hall added that earlier in 2018, he obtained a delegated approval for a further dwelling, which was not agriculturally tied, not a replacement dwelling and that was approved under delegated powers and, in his opinion, the application site abuts residential development. He made the point that it is all located in Flood Zone 1 and is linear development, which is the same as Askham Row and the same as the plots that were approved to the north.

Mr Hall expressed the view that there have been numerous planning approvals here in the last six years and he knows that the highway improvements cannot be conditioned but they would have to come forward if the application is approved under a technical matters application because if not it would attract a highways objection. He expressed the view that the properties on Askham Row are very nice large properties which is what this application is for, and he is trying to match in with the character of the area and the map, in his opinion, demonstrates that it is not an elsewhere location and it does form part of Doddington.

Members asked Mr Hall the following questions:

·       Councillor Mrs French stated that she is aware it is a planning in principle application and that Mr Hall has explained that the applicant would be prepared to contribute to the upgrade of passing places, however, she is concerned with regards to it being a 60mph area, which needs to be reduced and asked Mr Hall whether the applicant would consider applying for a speed reduction? Mr Hall confirmed that it is something that the applicant would do.

·       Councillor Connor stated that he believes a speed reduction has already been applied for by Mr Cutteridge from Mega Plants as that formed a condition as part of one of his applications. Mr Hall stated that he believes that to be the case. Councillor Connor stated that it maybe another year before it is implemented and he added that this is a PIP application and this is only the first step obviously as there are still several hurdles in which to overcome to get full planning permission on this site.

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

·       Councillor Marks stated that there have been numerous planning applications in this area or around this area and he stated that with regards to material changes from three years ago when this first came in front of the committee there have been other approvals given around it and he does believe there are changes here. He made the point that it is not the greatest road in the world but, in his opinion, you would not be able to drive 60 mph down there on a on a good day. Councillor Marks added that a passing place is a community benefit which he thinks is a good thing and he welcomes the fact that it is something that the applicant is already aware of. He added that with regards to land usage, there are already some nice houses at the front and if the application mimics that regarding space, he can see very little wrong with the application, and he would be happy to support it.

·       Councillor Benney stated that he noticed on his site visit that there are bungalows being built down there and bungalows that have been built out already which are further out in the open countryside than this is and they have all been approved. He added that the application will bring with it some betterment on the road and Mega Plants is nearby who have received approval for a café and that means there will be more people using the area. Councillor Benney expressed the view that if this improves the safety of the road by putting highway improvements along here, with a speed reduction, it will make the development better and will makes it safer for people using the road.

Proposed by Councillor Marks, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer’s recommendation.

Members did not support the officer’s recommendation of refusal as they believe that there has been material change in the area due to the number of planning approvals which have been given in the last three years and that the proposed highway improvements as well as the speed reduction will bring benefit.

(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)