Agenda item - 22/01228/REM - Reserved Matters submission for details relating to the development of 46 residential dwellings, including details on layout, design, drainage, engineering details and landscaping. Bordesley Hall, The Holloway, Alvechurch. Mr. A Russell (Wain Homes)

Agenda item

22/01228/REM - Reserved Matters submission for details relating to the development of 46 residential dwellings, including details on layout, design, drainage, engineering details and landscaping. Bordesley Hall, The Holloway, Alvechurch. Mr. A Russell (Wain Homes)

Minutes:

Officers drew Members’ attention to Committee Updates 1, 2 and 3, which detailed:-

 

Committee Update 1 – The Conservation Officers final comments.  The Applicant’s response. Officer Assessment and Revised Recommendation.  

 

Committee Update 2 – Comments received from Rowney Green Association (RGA), March 2023.

 

Committee Update 3 – Pages 3 and 4, which referred to the comments received from RGA (Committee Update 2). 

 

Copies of all three Committee Updates were provided to Members and published on the Council’s website prior to the commencement of the meeting.

 

Officers reminded the Committee that the application was for the Reserved Matters for layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping. 

 

Officers drew Members’ attention to the revised recommendation, as detailed on page 6 of Committee Update 1.

 

Officers presented their report and in doing so stated that the “Reserved matters submission for details relating to the development of 46 residential dwellings, including details on layout, design, drainage, engineering details and landscaping”.

 

Members’ attention was drawn to the presentation slides, as detailed on paqes 72 to 90 of the main agenda report.

 

Bordesley Hall was an unlisted heritage asset.  Its ambience was messed up many years ago, when it had become a research establishment and had had modern buildings built around it. The proposed development was located adjacent to Bordesley Hall and within the boundary of its former gardens and associated parkland, which now lay predominantly to the southeast.  Both the 18th century hall and the landscaped park were recorded on the Historic Environment Records (HERs), WSM77512 and WSM228136, respectively.

 

Officers further drew Members’ attention to the ‘Proposal’, as detailed on page 62 of the main agenda report.

 

Officers reiterated that the principle of the proposed development had been established through the granting of hybrid permission 21/00684/HYB.  Therefore, the issues for consideration by Members were limited to matters of the internal vehicular access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping.

 

The Reserved Matters to be considered under this application were: -

 

·         Layout - the way in which buildings, routes and open spaces within the development are provided, situated, and orientated in relation to each other and to buildings and spaces outside the development. This includes the internal road configuration.

·         Scale - the height, width and length of each building proposed within the development in relation to its surroundings;

·         Appearance - the aspects of a building or place within the development which determines the visual impression the building or place makes, including the external built form of the development, its architecture, materials, decoration, lighting, colour, and texture; and

·         Landscaping - the treatment of land (other than buildings) for the purpose of enhancing or protecting the amenities of the site and the area in which it is situated and includes—

·       screening by fences, walls or other means;

·       the planting of trees, hedges, shrubs or grass;

·       the formation of banks, terraces or other earthworks;

·       the laying out or provision of gardens, courts, squares, water features,

·       sculpture or public art; and

·       the provision of other amenity features

 

Officers stated that overall it was considered that given the degree of separation, position and orientation between the proposed dwellings and neighbouring properties; that the proposal would not result in harm to the amenity of the occupants of neighbouring properties or future occupants of the proposed dwellings.

 

Officers concluded that the principle of development had been accepted following the grant of hybrid planning permission. This Reserved Matters application would lead to a reduction in built footprint and volume when compared with the site as existing, to increase the openness of the Green Belt, and was designed in a manner that reflected its rural location. The layout, scale and appearance of properties would also respect the amenity of neighbouring properties adjacent to the application site.

 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. T. Hawkeswood, addressed the Committee in objection to the Application and Mr. A. Russell, the Applicant addressed the Committee.

 

Members then considered the application, which officers had recommended that Reserved Matters for layout, scale, appearance and landscaping be granted.

 

Officers responded to questions from Members with regard to S106 monies and clarified that the site was brownfield land.

 

Officers further clarified on the presentation slides the red line area shown on the ‘Site Location Plan’ and ‘Approved Parameters Plan under 21/00684/HYB’, as detailed on pages 72 and 75 of the main agenda report.

 

Officers further responded to questions from Members with regard to lighting and light pollution, and in doing so officers reassured Members that, light pollution, ecology and impact on wildlife would be taken into consideration; and that officers and the developer would take on board the comments and concerns raised by the Committee; in response to the concerns raised by residents in respect of light pollution.

 

Members raised further questions about Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) on the site.  Officers stated that all trees were subject to some form of protection on the mixed and woodland areas. 

 

Officers further responded to questions with regard to the provision and location of public open spaces and S106 monies for the provision of recycling / refuse bins.

 

On being put to the vote and Members noting the Revised Recommendation, as detailed on page 6 of Committee Update 1, it was 

 

RESOLVED that the Reserved Matters for layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping be granted, subject to the revised Recommendation, as detailed on Committee Update 1, page 6, and the Conditions as set out on pages 68 and 69 of the main agenda report.

 

At this stage in the meeting, the Chairman announced a comfort break.

 

Accordingly, the meeting stood adjourned from 19:53 hours to 20:01 hours.

Supporting documents: