Agenda item

It was being reported to the Planning Committee for consideration due to its classification as a major planning application.

Further information was included in the Committee Update, which contained updated and revised presentation slides.

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 in doing so highlighted that the application was for a variation of part of the wording of Conditions 32 and 33 of Outline Planning Application 16/0335, which was permitted on appeal.

Officers presented the presentation slides as detailed within the Committee Update and outlined that permission had been sought by the developer to increase the house occupation trigger points that are associated with the delivery of road and highway improvements.

Taylor Whimpey Ltd had experienced a delay in securing road space on the local highway network to enable them to complete and implement the offsite highways works. This was as a result of major works taking place as part of the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme and other improvements to the highways requiring road space on the highways network.

As a result of this, the request to vary the conditions to increase trigger points of house occupations would prevent delays in the delivery of required housing in the area.

It was reported that the applicant had provided supporting information and data modelling, as well as entering into discussions with the Council, Worcestershire County Council as the highways authority and Mott MacDonald.

Mott MacDonald as the Council’s independent transport advisor had reviewed the proposals and concluded that whilst traffic disruption could be expected, that the proposals and strategy were appropriate to enable the delivery of the residential dwellings to be brought forward.

Worcestershire County Council as the highways authority had also reviewed the application and had raised no objection. Furthermore, they had concluded that the proposals would not result in a severe impact on capacity or congestion or result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety.

The proposal would support continued housing delivery in the District.

It was noted that a public consultation had taken place.

Further information, including relevant planning history, the Bromsgrove District Plan, and housing availability considerations was relayed to the Committee.

It was noted that the application for variation of conditions was recommended to be granted. In addition, it was recommended that delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Culture Services, following consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman, to agree the final scope and detailed wording and numbering of Conditions as laid out in the report.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Gemma Johnson, representing Marrons (the Applicant’s Planning Agent), addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Members then debated the application. From the comments and questions by members of the Committee, the following responses were made, and issues highlighted:

• A hybrid approach had been recommended in respect of splitting the timings of the highways works on the A448 Kidderminster Road as covered under Condition 33.
• Permission for the development had originally been granted in 2021, and this was the first variation that Taylor Wimpey Ltd had sought approval for.
• It was reported that the interim scheme was supporting the flow of traffic effectively.

Members discussed the impact of the proposed variation upon the highways network in the locality.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED that having had regard to all the information before them and all other material considerations

(a) that planning permission be granted;

(b) that delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Culture Services, following consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman, to agree the final scope and detailed wording and numbering of conditions, as set out in the report.