Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 15 November 2022 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 15 November 2022.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 15 November 2022 be approved and signed by the Vice-Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report on Planning/Enforcement appeals lodged and determined since the last meeting.

Resolved:

To note the update.

To consider planning application 22/0042 for the erection of 11 single private dwelling houses with associated parking and landscaping and access from Cherry Tree Road following demolition of 74 Cherry Tree Road.

The Committee considered application number 22/0042 for the erection of 11 single private dwelling houses with associated parking and landscaping and access from Cherry Tree Road following demolition of 74 Cherry Tree Road.

Ms Susan Parker, Head of Development Management provided the Committee with an overview of the proposed development, the site and location and the planning history on the site. In relation to the site’s planning history, the Committee was advised that planning permission had been granted in 2009 for the erection of a block of 12 flats and 3 terraced houses.

The Committee was informed that the site was considered to be a backland site which was classified as greenfield land and that the proposed demolition of number 74 Cherry Tree Road would provide a two-way access directly off Cherry Tree Road.

Ms Parker advised that whilst there had been no update note, a further representation by a resident had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. In relation to representations against the application, Ms Parker noted that these were contained within the Committee report. The site was not allocated or safeguarded for any alternative use and the proposed dwellings would contribute modestly to the Borough’s housing supply. It was acknowledged that whilst the third bedrooms fell short of minimum space standards, it was considered that overall the properties would provide an acceptable level of accommodation for future occupiers.

Ms Parker outlined the consideration that had been given to the impact of the proposed properties on the existing neighbours and in order to mitigate this impact, some of the properties would be dormer bungalows with lower ridge levels. The properties would be separated from existing properties to avoid overlooking and the site spacing was considered to be acceptable. In order to create a more engaging sense of arrival, the property on plot 6 would face towards the access road.

The Committee was advised that the Council’s Highways Officer had assessed the proposed access arrangements and had considered them to be acceptable. Similarly the drainage proposals had been considered by United Utilities and the Council’s Drainage Officer and had also been considered to be acceptable as the site drained to the existing combined sewer and no unacceptable impact on flood risk was anticipated. Ms Parker acknowledged the comments submitted by residents in relation to the dyke on the site, however this was not considered to constitute a drainage asset due to its state of disrepair.

In respect of biodiversity, the Committee was informed that the site had already been cleared, however the development should provide ecological enhancement which could be secured through condition and that no material impact on environmental quality was anticipated. Although Japanese Knotweed had been found on the site, the management of this could also be controlled by condition.

The Committee was asked to resolve to support the scheme subject to the conditions listed in the Committee Report and to delegate approval to Ms Parker as the Head of Development Management,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note the date of the next meeting as 24 January 2023.

Resolved:

To note the date of the next meeting as 24 January 2023.