Agenda item

10no. bungalows and 4no. single level living apartments for affordable rent/shared ownership

The Committee considered a report of the Planning Officer regarding a planning application 10no. bungalows and 4no. single level living apartments for affordable rent/shared ownership on former Dean Bank Grange, Hackworth Close, Dean Bank, Ferryhill (for copy see file of minutes).

The Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, aerial view of the site, various photographs of the site and proposed site plan.

Mrs J Clement, local resident, confirmed that she was not objecting to the application as a whole but wished to raise concerns on behalf of local residents.  She considered that parking was already inadequate and the proposed development would exacerbate the existing problems.  There were residents with mobility problems who needed to park in close proximity to their property and she considered the marked bays were located in a dangerous position and would obstruct pedestrian access to the park.  Mrs Clement confirmed that she had consulted the majority of Hackworth Close who were concerned that the traffic increase and lack of appropriate parking may result in future confrontation.  She reiterated that she was not in objection to the proposal as it would be an improvement from the former Dean Bank Grange, however she would prefer the Committee to consider the issues with regards to parking.

The Planning Officer confirmed that there had been no objections from Highways and that there were currently no marked parking bays, but the proposal had identified 22 spaces to serve 16 bungalows.  He confirmed that although it was expected that most residents would have vehicles, it was not essential and the proposed parking was satisfactory.

Councillor Shuttleworth considered the request to accommodate residents with regards to parking was reasonable.

In response to a question from Councillor Atkinson, the Planning Officer confirmed that the former Dean Bank Grange was accessible for refuse and emergency vehicles, and if bays were properly marked out there would be no access issues.

Councillor Richardson accepted the concerns regarding the allocation of parking bays, however he considered this insufficient to refuse the application and moved the recommendation to approve.  This was seconded by Councillor Atkinson and it was;

Resolved:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the completion of a Section 106 Obligation to secure the retention of 2no. affordable units in perpetuity and the agreed financial contribution of £14,075 to offset the shortage of open space provision, and subject to the conditions outlined in the report.