Agenda item

Erection of 12 bungalows with associated communal parking.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding the proposed erection of 12 bungalows and associated communal parking at land between 10-19 and 28-35 Howard Close, Bishop Auckland (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation to the Committee, which included an aerial photograph of the application site, photographs of one of the parcels of land and car parking around a central green space. The Committee were informed that the surrounding area was made up of predominately semi-detached terraced properties. Photographs depicting a central area of open space and footpath links were shown to the Committee.  The communal areas of car parking shown would be for anyone residing in the surrounding area. A site plan was then shown to the Committee detailing four sets of three blocks of bungalows. The plan was very similar to the former development that existed on the site. The Committee were then shown the typical internal layout of a bungalow, together with elevations.

The Senior Planning Officer updated the Committee regarding the queries raised by the Council’s Contaminated Land Officer during the consultation and confirmed that the agent had supplied additional information which the Officer had revisited and deemed satisfactory. As a result, condition number 7 would now apply from phase 3 onwards. Approved plans to include additional information had also been submitted in relation to condition number two.

Councillor G Richardson queried if the land was designated green space.  In response, the Senior Planning Officer informed the Committee that given a similar development had existed previously, the actual building plots would have been considered as brownfield in nature. Once the original development had been demolished, the area had been grassed over.  Councillor Richardson felt that development of bungalows was rare. He welcomed the application and moved the recommendation contained in the report.

The application was seconded by Councillor J Atkinson.

Resolved

That the application be approved, subject to the conditions detailed in the report and subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure financial contributions towards offsite open space and recreational provision at pro-rata rate of £1000 per residential unit.