Agenda item

Demolition of existing dwellings and erection of 20 flats within two blocks with associated car parking and landscaping.

Description

Demolition of existing dwellings and erection of 20 flats within two blocks with associated car parking and landscaping.

Decision

The Committee noted a presentation from the Senior Planning Officer.

A statement was read out on behalf of an objector to the Application.

The following points were raised by the Committee:

Housing: Members noted the shortage of housing within the Borough and how the proposed development would be of benefit in fulfilling need. Members raised concerns regarding the number of proposed houses being offered as affordable.

Character of building: Members noted concerns regarding the proposed residential development. Members noted the colouring and materials of the proposed development and spoke about whether it may be out of character of the surrounding buildings.

Sustainability of location: Members noted the sustainability of the location, including its proximity to a number of schools and local bus routes. It was noted that some of these bus routes did not pass by the site directly, and required a short journey to reach them. Members also noted the Traffic Safety Report that had been completed

Density: Members noted concerns regarding the proposed housing density, sitting in excess of the 40 units per hectare as set out in DM11. It was noted that this may be seen as a possible overuse of site.

Amenity space: Members raised concerns with the amenity space of the proposed development, and noted that not all of the proposed housing units would meet the standard of amenity space.

A refusal was proposed by Councillor Steven McCormick. This was seconded by Councillor Jan Mason. The reasons for refusal were based on concerns raised by the Committee relating to:

·                     Noncompliance with policies DM 9 and DM 10 relating to size, scale and character of building against the local area.

·                     Noncompliance with CS 5 – Failure to reinforce distinctiveness of local area.

Following consideration it was resolved with 9 Members voting for, 1 Member voting against, 2 abstentions and the Chair not voting that:

The Application be REFUSED based on the following reasons:

·                     The proposed development by reason of its design, scale, and  massing, gives rise to an unacceptably cramped and over-developed layout, leading to an overbearing relationship with the adjacent properties and the local street scene, contrary to the established character, and local distinctiveness  of the local area.  The proposal is contrary to para 127 (c) of the NPPF, Policy DM9 and DM10 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015 and CS5 of the Core Strategy 2007.

Should the item reach an appeal and conditions be requested, Members requested an amendment to:

Condition:

(11)     No development shall commence until a Construction Transport Management Plan, to include details of:

(h) No HGV movements to or from the site shall take place between the hours of 8.15 and 9.00 am and 3.00 and 4.00 pm nor shall the contractor permit any HGVs associated with the development at the site to be laid up, waiting, in Ruxley Lane during these times.

Members noted the importance of this condition detailing that construction traffic be timed in line with the opening hours of local schools. The Officer agreed to make note of this in their response in an appeal submission.