Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Rowen presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Gareth Edwards, the agent. Mr Edwards stated that the officer’s report details the fact that the application has the support of the technical consultees along with the Town Council and the number of dwellings has been reduced from four to two which has achieved the support of the planning officers. He explained that extensive negotiations have taken place over the last year with officers to bring the application to committee, and, in his opinion, the main concerns have been addressed to produce a high-quality scheme, which is consistent with the Local Plan.

Mr Edwards stated that the site is within Flood Zone 1 of the Environment Agency maps which is not always the case in Wisbech. He pointed out that the site is within the built-up area for Wisbech which is a market town within LP3, where the majority of the district’s new housing should take place, with the site having an extended garden area from the host property which still retains ample amenity space which is consistent with policy.

Mr Edwards expressed the opinion that Wisbech has a real mixture of dwelling types throughout, and the scheme will enhance the area and provide good sized family homes on good sized plots with adequate separation distances so there will not be a significant detrimental impact in relation to overlooking, loss of privacy, light or outlook. He stated that the dwellings are to be constructed with materials that are sympathetic to the adjacent dwellings and street scene as a whole and the development will provide a positive contribution to this part of the Town and enhance the street scene.

Mr Edwards asked the committee to support the proposal and approve the application with the conditions indicated and highlighted that he has addressed the points from the technical consultees so that it achieves their support, the design picks up on features from other neighbouring dwellings, addresses the street scene, is within Flood Zone 1, and is Policy LP2, 3, 12, 15 and 16 compliant.

Members asked Mr Edwards the following questions:

·         Councillor Miscandlon asked that if the application is approved would he be prepared for conditions to be imposed so that the construction works do not cause issues and concerns for the existing local residents. Mr Edwards stated that if a condition were required it could be considered.

Members asked officers the following questions

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that she is pleased that the applicant and agent have worked with officers to negotiate a scheme which is acceptable as it had previously been refused as it was considered as over development.

·         Nick Harding stated that, in response to Councillor Miscandlon’s question concerning a condition for hours of construction, a construction management plan had not been proposed as it is not something that would normally be considered for this scale of development, and given the physical constraints of the site it would only be realistic to impose an hours of construction condition and it is not possible to request that storage of material and space on site for contractors to park as there is not enough space. He added that the Council cannot stop individuals from parking on the public highway and beyond working hours there is not much else that can be conditioned. Councillor Miscandlon stated that he would be happy with such a condition to be added for construction hours.

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

·         Councillor Cornwell expressed the opinion that he has no adverse comments on the proposal at all and the reduction in the number of dwellings is welcomed. He added that he would hope that if permission is granted that going forward an application will not be submitted to develop within the back gardens of the two houses.

·         Councillor Topgood stated that he will support the proposal and welcomes the reduction of four houses to two. He added that Wisbech is in need of more housing and Wisbech Town Council have no objections to the proposal.

·         Councillor Mrs Davis expressed the view that she will support the application and added that it is a vast improvement on the previous submission and the two dwellings will not have the impact on the neighbouring properties that the four dwellings would have done.

·         Councillor Sutton stated that he will support the application and he added that the officer has worked proactively with the agent to reach a satisfactory resolution.

Proposed by Councillor Topgood, seconded by Councillor Clark and agreed that the application be APPROVED as per the officer’s recommendation with a suitable standard condition applied with regards to working hours.