Agenda item

Hybrid planning application seeking outline planning permission for the erection of up to 110 dwellings, including means of access (all other matters reserved) and full planning permission for the formation of car park(s)

Prior to consideration of the item the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that since the report had been published an update had been received on the financial contribution from the applicant of £53,130 towards health care.  The contribution was now to cover both the Tanfield and Stanley Electoral divisions.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer which consisted of a hybrid planning application seeking outline planning permission for the erection of up to 110 dwellings, including means of access (all other matters reserved) and full planning permission for the formation of car park (s) (for copy see file of minutes). 

The Senior Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, aerial photograph of the site, site photographs and site layout.  Members of the Committee had visited the site the previous day and were familiar with its location and setting.

The Chair thanked the Senior Planning Officer for his presentation.  As there were no speakers for this item the Chair asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

Councillor Brown was concerned with the working times on Saturdays during building works that would include the delivery of materials due to the close proximity of residents to the site.

The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the hours of works for construction in the report were standard conditions that were placed in all applications.  The hours could be amended if the application was approved.

Councillor Boyd was in favour of the development but recommended that the condition be changed for working times on Saturdays.  She wished to know why the health care contribution money now included the division of Tanfield.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that the Tanfield division had to be covered in the health care contributions because Stanley Town Centre was in the division of Tanfield and not the division of Stanley as originally thought.

Councillor Wilson was also apprehensive about the working times for Saturdays.  He requested assurance that Sport England had unquestionably withdrawn their objection to the application as he was aware that in previous planning applications Sport England had held up the process whilst awaiting their approval.

The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that Sport England a statutory consultee had withdrawn their objection to the planning application as they were happy with the submitted proposal. 

Councillor Wilson was happy to move the planning application subject to a change in the condition for Saturday working hours. 

Councillor Jewell requested clarity from the Committee on what they wanted changed in the condition for working hours on Saturdays.

Councillor Wilson proposed that working hours should be between the hours of 9am and 4pm on a Saturday whilst Councillor Brown suggested the hours should be from 8am until 2pm. As a local member Councillor Boyd was happy for the hours to be from 9am until 4pm.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that the condition for working hours was in two parts for Saturdays, one for external works and one for internal works.  He noted that the standard condition for working hours for external construction works was between the hours of 7.30am and 2pm and for internal works it was from 8am until 5pm on Saturdays.  He was happy for the condition for the combination of both internal and external works carried out on Saturdays be changed to be between the hours of 9am and 4pm.

Councillor Wilson proposed approval of the application and was seconded by Councillor Brown.

Upon a vote it was unanimously

Resolved

That the application be APPROVED subject to the completion of an internal transfer of funds to the Council, subject to conditions in the report and an additional condition included with regards to working times on Saturdays.