Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Grant presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Matthew Hall, the agent. Mr Hall explained that there have been numerous approvals given in this location since 2019, one of those was under delegated powers, and there have been 17 dwellings approved at the location already which, in his view, proves that the area forms part of Chatteris due to the number of adjacent approvals. He added that some of the dwellings on the site have been completed and are occupied and some are under construction.

Mr Hall explained that he is working on some of the development at the current time and it is at the building regulation stage as people have purchased them as they want to move to the area. He referred to the Google map and added that the development could be considered as infill between the Four-Seasons Garden Centre and the dwelling next door.

Mr Hall explained that all of the site is in Flood Zone 1 and there are no objections from the Town Council or from members of the public. He referred to the presentation screen indicating the application site, explaining that all of the other approvals in this area in the last six years include those that are built, lived in and sold which, in his view, demonstrates that there is a need.

Mr Hall explained that southwest of the application site is the Four Seasons Grden Centre and café which needs the support to succeed. He expressed the opinion that the area is part of Chatteris so the character of the area has changed and continues to do so.

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

·       Councillor Marks stated that it has been mentioned that there is no pavement, however, a new garden centre has been built, and people like to walk to a garden centre more than they like to walk to their houses. He added that he agrees with the point made by Mr Hall that the proposal could be almost classed as infill and made the point that the Chatteris boundary seems to move further to the bottom of Ferry Hill as you come round the corner where the Chatteris sign is. Councillor Marks explained that he is aware that it is in a 50mph area, but Chatteris Town Council are looking to apply for a speed reduction. He added that several self-build properties on Stocking Drove have been approved behind Ferry Farm and there is a footpath there but there is not one along Stocking Drove which is a busy road, and he will look to support the application.

·       Councillor Benney stated that members keep being told that this location is not within Chatteris but, in his opinion, if you travel to the bottom of Ferry Hill, there is a sign which says ‘Welcome to Chatteris and Welcome to Fenland’ so Chatteris starts at the bottom of Ferry Hill rather than where the new Hallam Land development is. He explained that all of the other dwellings have been approved on the basis that members feel Chatteris is further out. Councillor Benney expressed the view that it is a shame that the footpath was not introduced when the garden centre was built as it should have been incorporated but it appears to have been missed. He expressed the opinion that it is located in Chatteris, and he will be supporting the proposal.

·       Councillor Murphy stated that the photographs shown in the officer’s presentation did not demonstrate any development at all, however, there are several dwellings located along the road with more development taking place. He made the point that Chatteris is expanding out towards Ferry Hill and the development is filling up the land all the way through and he welcomes the development. Councillor Murphy added that once the development starts of those applications which are yet to commence building then there will be homes all the way along the road and he wholeheartedly welcomes this development. He added that Chatteris Town Council would like to see a footpath from Sutton Goult which is already positioned down one side, but it would be nice to see it extended down one side of the road to the Four Seasons Garden Centre. Councillor Murphy expressed the opinion that he believes the application is a great application and it should be approved.

·       David Grant stated that members have made reference to other developments in the area and they have referred to the ‘Welcome to Chatteris’ sign which is where they consider the built-up settlement starts. He added that if members chose to approve the application and other schemes of three and four dwellings are considered to be infill dwellings in an unsustainable location, there will be no Section 106 contributions offered. David Grant added that members have made reference to an application determined by members in December, F/YR25/0796/PIP, and explained that this application was 350 metres from the built-up settlement and was served by a footpath on the opposite side of London Road to the south. He made the point that the proposed application is more than twice the separation distance from the built-up settlement and is not served by a pedestrian footpath on either side of the highway which has a speed limit of 50mph. David Grant stated that the examples given on the plan within the officer’s presentation including Gaul Tree Lodge and the area to the south continuing past 120 London Road towards what is considered to be the built-up settlement of Chatteris is served by a footpath and some dwellings have been approved in outline, PIP and full. He stated that no footpath is proposed for this development and concerns have been expressed by the Highway Officer and Chatteris Town Council.

·       Councillor Mrs French stated that there is no expectation for Section 106 contributions for 4 dwellings and as it is a PIP application they would like a footpath, but it cannot be requested under a PIP.

·       Councillor Benney stated that as it is a PIP a footpath cannot be requested. He added that he would like a speed survey to be undertaken in order to justify a speed reduction along with the introduction of a footpath if it is feasible.

Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Murphy and decided that the application be GRANTED against the officer’s recommendation.

Members do not support the officer’s recommendation of refusal as they do not consider the application to be in an elsewhere location.

(Councillor Benney declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he is a member of Chatteris Town Council but takes no part in planning. He further 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 Marks declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he attends Chatteris Town Council meetings but takes no part in planning)

(Councillor Murphy declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he is a member of Chatteris Town Council but takes no part in planning. He further declared that he knows the agent but 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)