Agenda item

To determine the application

David Rowen presented the report to members and drew their attention to the update report which had been circulated to members.

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

·      Councillor Benney expressed the opinion that London Road and Ferry Hill have always been part of Chatteris. He stated that he does not class the proposal as being in an elsewhere location and feels that the proposed location is also in a sustainable position. He added that there is the need for housing in Chatteris to ensure no further services and facilities are lost and expressed the view that it is a good development which he will be supporting.

·      Councillor Murphy expressed the opinion that the proposal is in an elsewhere location and is a distance from the built up area of Chatteris. He expressed the view that it cannot be classed as infill development and there is no footpath or lighting on that particular stretch of the road. Councillor Murphy added that the proposal is against the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework and also against Policies LP3 and LP16 of the current Local Plan.

·      Councillor Hay expressed the view that she agrees with Councillor Murphy and stated that although there will be a new Local Plan in time, it is the current Local Plan which members should be considering when determining applications. Councillor Hay stated that the proposal does go against LP3 and LP16 and added that on the site opposite where permission had been granted for 3 dwellings this was infill development. She stated that Chatteris Town Council are also recommending refusal because they consider the proposal to be outside of the development area and the fact that it has no footpath or street lighting. 

·      Councillor Benney expressed the opinion that it is infill development adding that the other property is on Ferry Hill albeit set back in the woods. He stated that when consideration has been given to the proposed new Local Plan, Councillor Hay had put forward that the building line should be taken further down Ferry Hill. He expressed the view that although the proposal may not be fully compliant with the current Local Plan, it will be when the new Local Plan is introduced.

·      Councillor Hay stated that Councillor Benney is correct and she did think it would be sensible to move the boundary going forward; however, members still need to abide with the current Local Plan.

·      Councillor Sutton stated that he has listened to the other members and he expressed the opinion that this proposal is in an elsewhere location and he will be supporting the officer’s recommendation.

·      Councillor Mrs Mayor stated that she will be supporting the officer’s recommendation, as the Local Plan policies need to be followed.

Proposed by Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Mrs Mayor that the application be REFUSED as per the officer’s recommendation. This was not supported on a vote by members, which included the use of the Chairman’s casting vote.

Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Marks, and agreed, with the use of the Chairman’s casting vote, that the application be APPROVED against the officer’s recommendation.

Members approved the application against officer’s recommendation for the following reasons; the development is not classed as an elsewhere location, is a sustainable location and forms part of Chatteris.

Members agreed to delegate authority to officers to formulate conditions in consultation with the Chairman, Councillor Benney and Councillor Marks.

(Councillors Benney, Hay and Murphy stated that they are members of Chatteris Town Council but take no part in planning matters)