Agenda item

The Planning Team Leader:

 

a.    advised that outline planning permission was sought for the erection of 14 bungalows with access only fixed for the development; all other details, including the layout and landscaping of the site and size of the bungalows being indicative at this stage along with the appearance of the dwellings to be agreed through subsequent application(s) for Reserved Matters

 

b.    described the application site roughly rectangular in shape located to the west of Wolsey Way, adjoining the King George V Playing Field to the west, residential development in Westholm Close, Hurstwood Close and Wolsey Way to the north and Larkspur Road to the south, with a larger residential site being developed on land (lying in West Lindsey) opposite by the applicant

 

c.    reported that the applicant still retained ownership of fingers of green space projecting into Westholm Close and Hurstwood Close

 

d.    highlighted that the site was shown without notation within the Local Plan so it was not specifically allocated for housing

 

e.    provided details of the policies pertaining to the application, as follows:

 

·         Central Lincolnshire Local Plan

o   Policy LP1: A Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development

o   Policy LP2: The Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy

o   Policy LP3: Level and Distribution of Growth

o   Policy LP9: Health and Wellbeing

o   Policy LP10: Meeting Accommodation Needs

o   Policy LP11   Affordable Housing

o   Policy LP12   Infrastructure to Support Growth

o   Policy LP13   Accessibility and Transport

o   Policy LP14   Managing Water Resources and Flood Risk

o   Policy LP16   Development on Land affected by Contamination

o   Policy LP21   Biodiversity and Geodiversity

o   Policy LP24   Creation of New Open Space, Sports and Recreation Facilities

o   Policy LP25   The Historic Environment

o   Policy LP26   Design and Amenity

o   Policy LP29   Protecting Lincoln's Setting and Character

o   Policy LP36   Access and Movement within the Lincoln Area

·         Core Strategy and Development Management Policies of the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (Adopted June 2016)

o   Policy M11: Safeguarding of Mineral Resources

·         National Planning Policy Framework

           

f.     outlined the responses made to the consultation exercise, which included petitions received from residents of Hurstwood Close and Westholm Close

 

g.    referred to the update sheet which contained a revised officer recommendation in respect of the proposed development, to include provision for successful negotiation with the applicant to secure the signing of an S106 agreement to cover education, local green infrastructure and playing fields

 

h.    advised members of the main issues to be considered as part of the application as follows:

 

·         The Principle of the Development

·         Application of Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Policy

·         Provision of Affordable Housing and Contributions to Services

·         The Design of the Proposals and their Visual Impact

·         The Implications of the Proposals upon Amenity

·         Sustainable Access, Highway Safety and Traffic Capacity

·         Biodiversity and Arboriculture

·         Drainage

·         Land Contamination and Air Quality

·         The Planning Balance

 

i.      concluded that:

 

·         The presumption in favour of sustainable development required by the National Planning Policy Framework would apply to the proposals as there would not be conflict with any of the three strands of sustainability that would apply to development as set out in the planning balance.

·         There would not be harm caused by approving the development so it was the recommendation of officers that the application should benefit from planning permission for the reasons identified by planning officers and subject to the planning conditions outlined within the report.

 

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail.

 

Members made comments in relation to the proposed development as follows:

 

·         It would be helpful when the indicative plans were before us.

·         This land was formerly part of the green wedge, although it now had no protection.

·         There was an urgent need for additional housing in the city and a strong imperative to build for this reason.

·         This land had been identified as suitable for development of housing under the Local Plan

·         This was an overgrown piece of land better used for housing.

·         Lincoln Civic Trust stated in their consultation response that the land was designated as important open space on the Central Lincolnshire Plan.

 

(Councillor Strengiel left the room at this stage in proceedings for the remainder of the meeting in order to attend a further engagement.)

 

The Planning Team Leader offered the following points of clarification:

 

·         Green wedges were still part of the new Local Plan.

·         The Local Plan included designations for protecting green and open spaces.

·         This land had been identified as playing field land in the previous Local Plan.

·         The Planning Inspector had taken the view that the land had never operated as a playing field and for this reason should not attract protection.

·         Lincoln Civic Trust was not quite correct on what it proposed for the Local Plan.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1.    Petitions submitted be received by Planning Committee

 

2.    Planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

 

·         Timeframe for Permission (Inclusive of Reserved Matters).

·         The Reserved Matters.

·         Approved Plans.

·         Trees to be Retained and their Protection.

·         Existing and Proposed Land Levels.

 

Conditions to be Discharged before Commencement of Works

 

·         Scheme for Affordable Housing.

·         Construction Management Plan (Inclusive of Working and Deliveries).

·         Arrangements for Management and Maintenance of Streets.

·         Engineering, Drainage, Street lighting and Constructional Details of the Streets.

·         30% of the Properties to Compliant with Part M4 (2) of the Building Regulations in accordance with Policy LP10.

·         Electric Vehicle Recharge Points.

·         Boundary Walls and Fences.

 

Conditions to be Discharged Before Use is Implemented

 

·         Drainage Works (Surface and Foul Water).

·         Footways.

·         30 metres of Estate Road from Public Highway.

 

Conditions to be Adhered to at All Times

 

·           Unexpected Contamination.

·           No Removal of Vegetation during Breeding Season.

 

(Councillor Hills requested that his vote against this planning application be recorded.)