Agenda item

Outline planning application for the erection of up to 210 dwellings including public open space, landscaping and SuDS.  All matters reserved except for means of access.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding an outline planning application for the erection of up to 210 dwellings including public open space, landscaping and SuDS, all matters reserved except for means of access on land to the south of Cockhouse Lane, Ushaw Moor (for copy see file of Minutes).

H Jones, Principal Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, aerial photograph, indicative site layout and photographs of the site.  Members of the Committee had visited the site and were familiar with its location and setting.

Councillor Tinsley considered that the applicant had not engaged significantly on the application, particularly with the local community.  Councillor Tinsley agreed with the reasons for refusal, in particular the level of traffic generated which would impact on Neville’s Cross which was already congested and beyond capacity.

Councillor Tinsley referred to issues around landscaping and agreed with the officers conclusion in this regard.  Councillor Tinsley moved that the application be refused.

Councillor Richardson objected to the application which would lead to the loss of agricultural land.  While there was a demand for more housing within the county, this needed to be balanced with losing fields which grew crops.  This site was a large parcel of land which was growing a good crop and the development of it would be a tremendous loss for very little gain.  Councillor Richardson agreed with the recommendation in the report.

Councillor Hopgood agreed with the recommendation in the report.  The application was an encroachment into the countryside and too far from the facilities in Ushaw Moor to make it viable for viable for people to access other than by vehicle.  Neville’s Cross was currently at saturation point, particularly the Toll House Road area, and additional traffic to this area was unacceptable.  Councillor Hopgood seconded refusal of the application.

Councillor Wilson referred to the encroachment and considered that the application was essentially putting a new small village into the countryside away from Ushaw Moor.  Councillor Wilson supported the recommendation in the report.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

That the application be refused for the reasons outlined in the report.