Agenda item

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 14 No. dwellings

Consideration was given to the report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 14 no. dwellings (for copy see file of minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation of the site which included photographs of the site.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that affordable housing was offered on site by means of two reduced price properties which would be offered at discounted market value.  The figure would be finalised on consultation with the Councils Valuation Officers.

Councillor Davidson highlighted that the 2 houses offered at a reduced sale price only equated to only 14% of the 15% affordable housing required by applications.  He queried whether the applicant should be offering a third property at a discount market value to account for the 1% deficit.  The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that there was no legal obligation to seek 15% and the offer was reasonable considering the scale of the development.  Councillor Davidson therefore moved the recommendation.

In response to a question from Councillor Huntington the Solicitor confirmed that the discounted price for affordable housing would be required not just on first sales, but on subsequent sales of the two properties.

Councillor Richardson was concerned that four access routes was excessive for the size of the proposed site, but also due to the speed at which vehicles could be travelling off the A66.  The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that there had been no objections from Highways and although it was an awkward site to develop due to its shape and size, the applicant had put forward a rational proposal.

Councillor Clare agreed that the site could have had fewer access points and he acknowledged that the road was accessed from the A66, however he highlighted that cars travelling from the A66 would be travelling on the opposite side of the road and the vehicles approaching the A66 would be travelling at a much slower speed.  He seconded the recommendation and it was;

Resolved

That the application be approved on the grounds as outlined in the report.