Agenda item

It was being reported to the Planning Committee for consideration at the request of Councillor A. Bailes, Ward Councillor, in accordance with the Council’s constitution.

Further information was included in the Committee Update, which detailed an objection from Alvechurch Parish Council. The representations from the Parish Council outlined that the land should be considered as green belt and agricultural in nature, and therefore inappropriate to be considered for development.

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 planning in principle (PIP) for up to five dwellings, and that the site was currently an open parcel of land (a paddock).

It was outlined that the application was for PIP, which was a specific planning consent route designed for small- scale housing based developments. As such, the Council could only assess the site’s suitability on three factors, namely location, land use and amount of development.

Officers presented the presentation slides, as detailed on pages 27- 31 of the main agenda pack, which included a site location plan.

The attention of Members was drawn to the conclusion of green belt matters on page 25 of the main agenda pack. Officers had concluded that whilst the site was situated within the green belt, due to its proximity to a large built up urban area (Redditch) and other considerations as detailed in the report, the site itself was classified as grey belt.

No objections from members of the public had been received.

Worcestershire County Council as the highways authority and North Worcestershire Water Management had not objected to the application at PIP stage.

The proposal would support continued housing delivery in the District.

Further information, including relevant planning history, the Bromsgrove District Plan, the Alvechurch Neighbourhood Plan, housing availability considerations and the need to demonstrate a five- year housing land supply was relayed to the Committee.

It was noted that the application for PIP was recommended to be granted. It was further noted that the application could not be subject to conditions and that if granted, a further application for Technical Details Consent (TDC) must be submitted and approved, before any development could commence.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Democratic Services Officer read out a statement in opposition to the application, which had been submitted by the Chairman of Alvechurch Parish Council, Councillor M. Worrall. Councillor A. Bailes also addressed the Committee in his capacity as Ward Councillor, in opposition to the application. Having addressed the Committee, Councillor A. Bailes immediately left the room.

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

• North Worcestershire Water Management (NWWM) had acknowledged that the site was within the catchment of the River Arrow, however had categorised it as Flood Zone 1, which meant there was no significant fluvial flood risk to the site.
• Records held by NWWM indicated that flooding had been reported previously at Dagnell End Road, therefore if the application was granted, a detailed drainage strategy was required to be submitted at the TDC stage.
• It was noted that Dagnell End Road was not wholly served by a footpath for pedestrians.
• There was no requirement for site layout plans to be submitted to the Council at PIP stage.
• Officers had concluded that the site was in a sustainable location due to its proximity to Redditch town centre and an urban sprawl.

Members were advised that if granted, any application submitted at TDC stage could be subject to conditions. Other factors, including the street scene and high quality design principles would also be considered.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED that having had regard to all the information before them and all other material considerations that planning permission be granted.

Following consideration of the above matter referred to at Minute No. 14/26, Councillor A. Bailes returned to the room.