Agenda item

Replan of part of permission DM/16/04052/FPA comprising 99 dwellings, incorporating 27 additional dwellings (Total of 230 dwellings).

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding an application for the replan of part of permission DM/16/04052/FPA comprising 99 dwellings, incorporating 27 additional dwellings, total of 230 dwellings,  at Vigo Lane, Chester le Street (for copy see file of Minutes).

G Blakey, Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, aerial photograph, proposed site layout, view from Vigo Lane, housing on site and proposed.

The Senior Planning Officer informed the Committee that, following the receipt of further information, there was a need to update the proposed Condition 8 in accordance with submitted documentation.

In reply to a question from Councillor Tinsley, J McGargill confirmed that parking on the development met minimum parking standards.

Councillor Clare informed the Committee that this was a brownfield site and he considered the density of housing was reasonable.  Councillor Clare moved approval of the application.

Councillor Wilkes supported the views of Councillor Clare and seconded approval of the application.

Councillor Jewell referred to Paragraph 51 of the report and the concerns raised by Durham Constabulary regarding the density of the development and likely high level of car ownership resulting in conflict.  The Senior Planning Officer replied that those concerns related to an original scheme, however, small layout changes had been made to give more open vistas.

Councillor A Bell considered that this was a very attractive scheme and gave credit to the developer.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the following in addition to the original planning approval:

• provision of 15% affordable housing units on site (of which 70% affordable rent and 30% discounted sale)
• £66,176 towards the provision of additional capacity at secondary schools in the Chester-Le-Street area
• £27,000 towards the provision or improvements to open space and recreation within North Lodge Electoral Division
• retain contribution of £22,000 towards off-site biodiversity improvement at Waldridge Fell SSSI.

and the conditions contained in the report, subject to Condition 8 being amended following consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.