Agenda item

It was noted that Councillor A. Bailes left the meeting room prior to the consideration of this item.

 

Officers drew Members’ attention to page 3 of the Committee Update 3, which detailed comments from the Tree Officer, Waste Management, North Worcestershire Water Management and ‘Other Matters’ with regards to the Garden Sizes Plan.

 

A copy of the Committee Update was provided to Members and published on the Council’s website prior to the commencement of the meeting.

 

Officers presented the report and presentation slides, as detailed on pages 54 to 78 of the main agenda pack, for the Reserved Matters application (Layout; scale; appearance and landscaping) to outline planning permission 16/1132 (granted on appeal APP/P1805/W/20/3245111) for the erection of 120 dwellings with associated car parking, landscaping and other infrastructure within the northern section of Site A, Land at Whitford Road, Bromsgrove.

 

Officers explained that, as detailed in the report, that the application site formed part of a larger site that was the subject of a planning appeal (APP/P1805/W/20/3245111). The appeal was allowed in 2021 granting outline planning permission for: Site A—(land off Whitford Road), provision of up to 490 dwellings, class A1 retail local shop (up to 400sqm), two new priority accesses onto Whitford Road, public open space, landscaping and sustainable urban drainage; on site B (Albert Road), demolition of the Greyhound public house, provision of up to 15 dwellings, an new priority access onto Albert Road, landscaping, and sustainable drainage.

 

The site formed part of the Bromsgrove Town Expansion Site BROM3 allocated for development in the District Plan. It comprised approximately the northern third of part of a larger site (Site A) which was granted outline planning permission by The Planning Inspectorate on 9th February 2021.

 

Following the granting of outline planning permission and the approval of the Reserved matter of Access by the Planning Inspector, this application sought consent for the remaining 4 Reserved Matters for the erection of 120 dwellings together with associated car parking and other infrastructure on the northern third of site A.

 

The development was arranged in 3 character areas:

 

· Landscape Edge – faces onto natural green space along the western side of

   the site and forms part of the acoustic barrier to the M5.

· Neighbourhood – central elements and typically incudes the tertiary street

   network.

· Main Street Green Edge – incorporates north edges and the central primary

   street.

 

Page 44 of the main agenda pack sets out the housing mix and tenure.

 

Officers referred to the hedgerow between the application site and the Bellway Homes site to the south which would be retained as indicated on the submitted plans and section drawings. The section drawings also suggested that retaining walls may be required either side of the hedge adjacent to plot 75. However, at the time of writing the report full details were not available and clarification was required on the implications for the hedgerow. It is noted that the masterplan did include the removal of part of the hedgerow. Officers drew Members’ attention to page 3 of the Committee Update with regards to the comments received from the Tree Officer and the removal of a section of hedge on the boundary of Timberhonger Lane.

 

Members were further informed that Housing Strategy had raised no objections and were agreeable to the proposed amendment to the affordable housing type and mix; and with the affordable housing being pepper potted around the site.

 

They were also supportive of the amended layout which increased private garden areas and vehicle manoeuvring space for the affordable units.

 

Worcestershire Highways – Bromsgrove were happy with the proposed layout, visibility splays and all turning heads, as referred to on pages 35 and 36 of the main agenda pack.

 

Worcestershire Regulatory Services – Noise had no objections.

 

Officers highlighted that the outline planning permission granted on appeal was subject to a condition that the Reserved Matters shall be in accordance with the indicative masterplan and the development areas parameters.

 

There were some differences in the proposal compared with the master plan and parameters plan, for example in the position of the terrace. Dwellings would generally be set further back from the western boundary with the M5 in the current proposal, resulting in a wider area of green space.

 

The masterplan indicated 2 sections of 4m high acoustic fencing located directly opposite Plan reference dwellings. Whilst performing an important acoustic function there was a risk that a 4m high acoustic fence could appear prominent and alien in the streetscene and adversely impact on the outlook for those dwellings.

 

Officers referred to the updated Garden Sizes Plan slide and the comments included on page 3 of the Committee Update. The garden sizes had been changed due to the topography of the site.

 

At the invitation of the Chairman Ms. D. Farrington, the Applicant’s Planning Agent addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Members then considered the Reserved Matters application, and the changes made to the indicative masterplan.

 

Members raised questions with regard to the following:-

 

·       4m high acoustic fence and noise mitigation.

·       Samples of external materials to be used and if a Condition was included.

·       Bin collection points.

·       Open spaces.

·       Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

·       Parking – deficient in 4 parking spaces.

 

In response Officers clarified that:-

 

·       Noise mitigation was determined by the Planning Inspectorate and that an indicative 4m high fence would retain noise mitigation.

 

·       A Condition had been included with regard to samples of external materials to be used.

 

·       Bin collections, a suitable Condition would be included for the  specific areas of concern (access via a private drive and any conflict with allocated parking spaces)

 

·       Open space would be provided as part of the Bellway Homes scheme. A large open space, green open space and a play area would be provided.

 

·       A CEMP Condition was included as part of the indicative masterplan; and would be agreed prior to any building work commencing.

 

·       The Highway Authority had been consulted with on the amended plans and the amended layout being deficient in 4 parking spaces.

 

On being put to the vote, it was

 

RESOLVED that the Reserved Matters application be approved subject to:-

 

·       delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning and Leisure Services to determine the Reserved Matters of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping following the receipt of a suitable and satisfactory legal mechanism in relation to affordable housing mix and type; and

 

·       delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning and Leisure Services to agree the final scope and detailed wording and numbering of conditions, as set out on page 52 of the main agenda pack (and also referred to in the Committee Update, namely:-

 

Conditions to include - 

 

·       Timing condition

·       Plans

·       Provision of parking/turning/visibility splays

·       External materials

·       Details of boundary treatments

·       Details of bund

·       Refuse collection points