Issue - meetings

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported that an update to the Cotswold Wildlife Surveys report relating to badgers had been received, together with the views of the Worcestershire County Council Landscape Officer.  Furthermore, she stated that 35 additional letters of objection had been received.  A representation submitted by email had also been received, and her response following consultation with the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services, together with the response of the applicant's agent, were reported.

The response of the applicant's agent to additional representations received in relation to the new car park proposals was reported, together with the response of the Case Officer in respect of issues relating to parameter plans.  The comments of both the applicant's agent and the Strategic Planning Manager to an additional letter of objection submitted on behalf of a local resident were also reported.  Finally, the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services clarified an error on page 38 of the report where a reference to "Catshill" should have referred to "Barnt Green".

Before permitting public speaking on the application, the Chairman stated his reasons for exercising his discretion by extending the time allowed for public speaking to 15 minutes for each category of speaker in respect of this application; namely, that the land is "unzoned" in terms of planning policy and therefore unique within the District of Bromsgrove; that the application could be considered controversial due to the large number of separate responses received to the consultation on the application; and that there had not been a residents' group or organisation taking the lead in co-ordinating the responses.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. D. Allenby, Ms. M. Coe, Ms. A. Shaw, Mr. M. J. Namih and Mrs. S. M. Whitehand addressed the Committee individually and spoke in objection to the application.  Mrs. R. Best, the applicant's agent, and Mr. P. McCann, for the applicant, then addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposal.  Finally, Mr. A. Williams addressed the Committee and spoke against the proposals on behalf of Barnt Green Parish Council.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services to determine the application upon the completion of an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, in respect of financial contributions relating to

(i)         play space provision;

(ii)        highways improvement works; and

(iii)       the securing of 35 affordable housing units,

(b)       that upon the completion of the agreement referred to in (a) above, permission be granted subject to any reasonable conditions and notes considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services, as summarised on page 42 of the report.