Agenda and minutes

Disclosure of Interests Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act 2011, they are required to consider in advance of each meeting whether they have a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI), some other registrable interest (ORI) or a non-registrable interest (NRI) in relation to any matter on the agenda. If advice is needed, Members should contact the Monitoring Officer in good time before the meeting. If any Member or co-opted Member of the Council identifies a DPI or ORI which they have not already registered on the Council’s register of interests or which requires updating, they must urgently complete the disclosure form which can be obtained from Democratic Services at any time, copies of which will be available at the meeting for return to the Monitoring Officer.

Members and co-opted Members are required in general to disclose any relevant DPIs, ORIs or NRIs at the meeting –

• Where the matter relates to a DPI they may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not stay in the room unless granted a dispensation.
• Where the matter directly relates to the financial interest or wellbeing of an ORI they may not vote on the matter unless granted a dispensation.
• Where a Member or co-opted Member has an NRI which directly relates to or affects their or a relevant person’s financial interest or wellbeing, whether they can participate in any discussion or vote on the matter or stay in the room depends on the detailed rules in paragraphs 7 of Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Chair will invite Members to make their disclosure of interests orally at the meeting and they will also be recorded in the minutes.

Councillor Ellily Ponnuthurai disclosed that she was the Ward Councillor for Waddon, however, she stated that she was still able to consider and discuss the development presentation without bias or predetermination.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was none.

To receive the following presentations on a proposed development.

The redevelopment of the site to deliver approximately 210 new residential dwellings and approximately 482sqm of non-residential floorspace (Use Class F.1/F.2), as well as private and communal amenity spaces, parking, cycle parking, enhanced public realm and landscaping, and relevant infrastructure works.

Ward: Waddon

The redevelopment of the site to deliver approximately 210 new residential dwellings and approximately 482sqm of non-residential floorspace (Use Class F.1/F.2), as well as private and communal amenity spaces, parking, cycle parking, enhanced public realm and landscaping, and relevant infrastructure works.

Ward: Waddon

Diana Thomson and Jon Ackroyd delivered a presentation. They then responded to Members’ questions and the issues raised for further consideration.

The Members raised the following points and questions:

Homes

Members appreciated the delivery of new homes and the provision of affordable homes on the site was considered a positive.

Some Members expressed their support for a mix in the type of units in the proposed development and wanted there to be a focus on family accommodation.

Some Members believed that there should be less one-bedroom units included in the proposed development whereas other Members were in support of the housing mix that had been proposed.

Members believed that there was a need for family homes to be offered as affordable housing.

Members queried whether the affordable housing provision applied for first time buyers.

Members acknowledged the potential issues with shared ownership and service charges.

Some Members were willing to accept an increase in height for some of the blocks if more affordable housing could be offered, however, other Members felt as if an increase in height may result in an overdevelopment.

Design

Members queried whether the developer had considered using more variation in colour or vibrancy to the scheme.

Members wanted more design detailing in the mansion blocks.

Members believed that there was very little similarity between the existing corner buildings in the area and the precedents shown compared to the proposed development.

Members believed that variation in the height of the buildings was important.

Members appreciated how the proposed layout of the development and how it connected to open space, to the park were well thought out.

Members sought clarification about who would be responsible for maintaining the green spaces on the site and who would be responsible for introducing the EV charging points were required.

Impact

Members expressed some concern over the height of western block compared to lower scale houses and the impact that the block would have on neighbours.

Members asked how the central courtyard would be used, would it be used for a play space for young people or should there be an investment made into the park.

Transport and access

Members highlighted the importance of safe routes for pedestrians to take and stressed the importance of there being several routes in and out of the site.

Members acknowledged that site was in a PTAL 4 area and was close in proximity to Fiveways, public transport and the town centre.

Members asked how the development would manage parking pressure, and how would it prevent parking from spreading out into surrounding areas.

Members believed the reduction in the number of parking spaces to 0.3 parking spaces for each home was too much of a reduction, especially given the number of family homes.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4/24

To consider the accompanying reports by the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport:

There are none.

To consider any item(s) referred by a previous meeting of the Planning Sub-Committee to this Committee for consideration and determination:

There are none.

There were none.

To consider the accompanying report by the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport:

Attached is the list of Delegated and Planning Committee/Sub Committee decisions taken between 16 September to 6 October 2024.

RESOLVED to note the weekly Planning decisions as contained within the report.