Agenda item

The Committee will be requested to consider an application for planning permission,

details of which are set out in the accompanying report.

The Committee considered planning application 18/0385 that sought outline planning permission for the erection of 14 detached dwelling houses with access from Moss House Road on land adjacent to Moss House Road.

Ms Parker, Senior Planning Officer, provided the Committee with an overview of the application and presented an aerial view of the site, site location, layout and elevational plans.  She advised the Committee that the proposal represented a reduction in housing numbers from that approved under the wider Kensington Development Scheme and that there was currently no policy in place that specified  density limit requirements.  She referred to the objections that had been received that raised concerns as to the suitability of Moss House Road as an access road and the impact of the proposed development on highway safety.  She referred Members to the Head of Highways and Traffic Management’s comments that had raised no objections, subject to relevant highway improvement works.

Mr Oram, the Applicant’s Agent, spoke in support of the application and confirmed that the applicant was the owner of the land.  He highlighted that the land currently had permission for a greater number of houses than that proposed by this application and reported on amendments made to the scheme in terms of the density of the proposed units.  He also referred to the accessibility of the location in terms of local amenities and transport links.

The Committee considered the application and raised concerns regarding the suitability of Moss House Road as an access road in terms of increased traffic.  It acknowledged that previous planning permission had been given for the location but also noted that the application had only required part access from Moss House Road.  Mr Allen, Highways and Traffic Development and Control Officer, in response to questions from the Committee, reported his view that the proposal was not considered materially different to the masterplan developed for the wider Kensington development.  In response to concerns raised regarding the potential for a precedent being set for future housing developments, Ms Parker confirmed that the cumulative impact on Moss House Road would be considered for any future applications in the location and the need for each application to be determined on its merits. 

The Committee noted the potential for the development of significantly more houses due to the planning permission previously granted for the Kensington Road development scheme.  The Committee also noted that the proposed development was located in a Flood Zone 1 area and that concerns regarding flood risks could be mitigated through conditions attached to planning permission if granted.  It also noted that the Head of Highways and Traffic Management had raised no objection to the proposal, subject to an appropriate condition.  Members acknowledged the concerns regarding the proposal but did not consider there was sufficient justification to warrant refusal of the application.

Resolved:  That the application be approved, subject to the conditions and for the reasons set out in the appendix to the minutes.

Background papers:  Applications, plans and replies to consultations on the application.

(Councillor D Coleman left the room following consideration of the above item and took no further part in the meeting.)