Agenda item

Outline application for up to 110 dwellings including affordable homes (all matters reserved except access from Langley Vale Road).

Prior to the Committee’s consideration of this agenda item, the Chair, Councillor Steven McCormick, stepped down from the Committee as he had registered to speak against the application in his capacity as Ward Councillor. The Vice-Chair Councillor, Clive Woodbridge, subsequently assumed the role of Chair of the meeting.

Description:

Outline application for up to 110 dwellings including affordable homes (all matters reserved except access from Langley Vale Road).

Officer Recommendation:

Approval, subject to conditions and the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement (securing bus serve provision public infrastructure, EV car club, affordable housing, BNG, Open Space, Play Area and Landscape Management).

Officer Presentation:

The Committee received a presentation on the application from the Planning Development Team Leader. She notified the Committee via a verbal update that Condition 21 had mistakenly been referred to as Condition 22 within the update report – this was noted by the Committee.

Public Speaking:

Ward Councillor, Steven McCormick, spoke against the application. Following his speech, Councillor Steven McCormick left the meeting room.

Ward Councillor, Bernice Froud, spoke against the application.

Two Objectors spoke against the application.

The Agent for the Applicant spoke in support of the application.

Decision:

Following consideration, Councillor Kate Chinn proposed a motion that the Officer recommendation be agreed as set out in the main report, and as updated in the update report, and as verbally updated by the Planning Development Team Leader during her presentation. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Clive Woodbridge.

The Committee voted (1 for, 6 against, and the Chair not voting) against the motion, and the motion was lost.

Following further consideration, Councillor Clive Woodbridge proposed a motion that the application be refused for the following reasons:

1)    Unsustainable Development

The site is located in an unsustainable location with a lack of access to public transport and walking and cycling options, resulting in excessive reliance on private car usage and lack of alternative travel option, contrary to section 9 and 13 of the NPPF, policy CS16 of the core strategy, and DM10 of the development management policies document.

2)    Inappropriate Development in the Green Belt

The proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt by definition and will result in unacceptable harm to the openness and setting to the Green Belt without sufficient very special circumstances, contrary to section 13 of the NPPF, policy CS1 and 2 of the core strategy, and policy DM3 of the development management policies document.

3)    Impact upon the Horse Training and Racing Industry

The proposal will lead to an increased conflict with existing movements of horses on Langley Vale Road, posing unacceptable conflict and impediment to vehicular traffic and risk to horses and riders, contrary to section 9 of the NPPF, policy CS16 of the core strategy, and policy DM10 of the development management policies document.

4)    Harm to the Landscape Character of the Area

The proposal will have an unacceptable visual impact on the landscape setting of the area of landscape value and of the wider landscape character of the countryside and greenbelt, contrary to sections 13 and 15 of the NPPF, policy CS5 of the core strategy, and policies DM9 and 10 of the development management policies document.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Jan Mason.

Subsequently, the Committee resolved (5 for, 2 abstaining, and the Chair not voting) to:

Refuse the application for the following reasons:

(1)          Unsustainable Development

The site is located in an unsustainable location with a lack of access to public transport and walking and cycling options, resulting in excessive reliance on private car usage and lack of alternative travel option, contrary to section 9 and 13 of the NPPF, policy CS16 of the core strategy, and DM10 of the development management policies document.

(2)          Inappropriate Development in the Green Belt

The proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt by definition and will result in unacceptable harm to the openness and setting to the Green Belt without sufficient very special circumstances, contrary to section 13 of the NPPF, policy CS1 and 2 of the core strategy, and policy DM3 of the development management policies document.

(3)          Impact upon the Horse Training and Racing Industry

The proposal will lead to an increased conflict with existing movements of horses on Langley Vale Road, posing unacceptable conflict and impediment to vehicular traffic and risk to horses and riders, contrary to section 9 of the NPPF, policy CS16 of the core strategy, and policy DM10 of the development management policies document.

(4)          Harm to the Landscape Character of the Area

The proposal will have an unacceptable visual impact on the landscape setting of the area of landscape value and of the wider landscape character of the countryside and greenbelt, contrary to sections 13 and 15 of the NPPF, policy CS5 of the core strategy, and policies DM9 and 10 of the development management policies document.