Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Davies.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2013 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Golby declared “predetermination” of application no. N/2013/0131 as intending to speak against the application.

Councillor Caswell declared a Personal interest in application no. N/2013/0131 as a Ward Member.

None.

The Head of Planning submitted a List of Current Appeals and Inquiries and elaborated thereon.  He stated that of the two outstanding appeals, a site visit would be taking place in respect of E/2012/0157 during May and he hoped to be able to report the outcome of the appeal to the next meeting of the Committee.

Report of Head of Planning (copy herewith).

The Head of Planning submitted a report on activity and performance during 2012-13 and elaborated thereon.  It was noted that performance was meeting or exceeding local and national targets.

RESOLVED:            That the report be noted.

None.

None.

None.

None.

Report of Head of Planning (copy herewith)

Ward: New Duston

Councillor Golby moved to the public seating in accordance with his declaration of predetermination set out at minute 4 above.

The Head of Planning submitted a report in respect of application no. N/2013/0131, elaborated thereon and referred to the Addendum that set out further representations received plus the officer’s responses, and noted that a revised plan had been submitted which had led to a revised wording of proposed condition 2.

Councillor Caswell, as the Ward Councillor, stated that the area did not need another shop as there were already seven in the vicinity.  This would be a huge shop and the existing shops would be put out of business.  There is a good bus service to take residents to the big supermarkets in town.  Another shop is not needed in the area and the Duston Parish Council had other ideas they would like to be considered on the site.

Mr Gary Boddington, speaking on behalf of another local resident, stated that two properties facing the site (256 and 258 Main Road) were not mentioned in the report.  As there was only one vehicular entrance to the site the lights of vehicles exiting the site at night would shine into the living room of 256 Main Road and would be intrusive and a violation.  The current service station closed at 6pm.  Delivery vehicles would need to use the car park to access the proposed shop.  Vehicle parking would encroach on the grass verges.  The bus stop was to remain outside the site and would make the area busy.  No mention was made of access for emergency vehicles along the road and to the site.  The shop would be able to sell what it liked and was unnecessary as there were already two shops in close proximity.  The nearest existing convenience store was three shops away.

Mrs Marlene Williamson stated that she lived opposite the proposed shop.  She stated that she and other residents would suffer from increased traffic to the shop, which was already horrendous now and frightening crossing the road.  If she did not leave home before 8am she could not get the car off her property and she was unable to drive on to her property between 2.30pm and 4pm.  The proposed shop was unnecessary as there was a convenience store nearby and five other local shops.  Other shops were also convenient via car or bus.  There were problems with young people gathering around the telephone box at the site which was intimidating and there were instances of anti-social behaviour.

Parish Councillor Alan Earle, Chairman of Duston Parish Council, referred to the traffic problems in the area and the need to support local shops to keep Duston vibrant and viable.  He referred to a petition against the application, which had been kept in a local shop and signed by over 800 people, plus over 168 letters of objection.  He referred to anti-social behaviour in the alley next to the site.  The Parish Council wished to see affordable housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10a

Report of Head of Planning (copy herewith)

Ward: Delapre and Briar Hill

The Head of Planning submitted a report in respect of application no. N/2013/0153, elaborated thereon and referred to the Addendum that proposed an additional condition (3).

The Committee discussed the application.

RESOLVED:            That the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report and amended by the Addendum as the proposal would have no undue adverse impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area or on the amenities of adjoining occupiers and would provide a suitable level of security for the site. The proposal would thereby comply with Policies E20 and E40 of the Northampton Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework.

Report of Head of Planning (copy herewith)

Ward: Sunnyside

The Head of Planning submitted a report in respect of application no. N/2013/0211, elaborated thereon and referred to the Addendum that contained representation and the officer’s comments.

Mrs Sarah Cayton, the applicant, stated that it was the intention of herself and her husband to rent the property to university students, as they did with a similar nearby property.  They are approved landlords with the University of Northampton, live nearby and would manage any issues which arose in respect of the property.  They had developed a good relationship with the adjoining neighbours and all neighbours had a copy of the management plan for the property and contact details for Mr and Mrs Cayton.  The living accommodation had been kept to a small size to discourage students from entertaining in the property.

The Head of Planning stated that the application met the criteria that all rooms had to be sensibly proportioned.

The Committee discussed the application.

RESOLVED:            That the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report as the proposal would not have an undue detrimental impact on the character of the locality or on the residential amenity of the area and would not give rise to highway safety problems. The proposal is therefore compliant with the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework and with Policy H30 of the Northampton Local Plan.

Report of Head of Planning (copy herewith)

Ward: Billing

This application had been withdrawn from the agenda.

None.

None.

The Head of Planning submitted a report on a consultation by Daventry District Council in respect of application no. N/2012/1252, elaborated thereon and referred to the Addendum that contained a letter from the applicant’s agent and the officer’s response.

The Head of Planning cross-referenced the agent’s responses in the Addendum to the points raised in the report.  He then detailed the officer’s responses to the comments made by the agent and stated that the agent’s responses did not adequately address the Council’s concerns.  Although the application was in the Daventry District Council area the proposed houses would be built to meet the housing needs of Northampton Borough.  Officers were concerned that this application should not be seen as a standalone development but as part of the larger Dallington Grange development.

The Committee noted that the Head of Planning intended to meet her counterpart at Daventry District Council to discuss issues relating to the site and the Dallington Grange development.  There were some issues which were likely to require agreement under delegated authority.  The Committee supported the need for the Head of Planning to be able to take this action.

The Committee discussed the application.

RESOLVED:              (1)      That Daventry District Council be informed that the

Council objects to the application on the basis that the s106 agreement, as currently proposed, would fail to address the infrastructure needs of the development or provide an adequate quantum or level of affordable housing.  In particular:

·                The current level of affordable housing proposed is 15% of the total number of dwellings. The split of affordable housing by tenure is not known at this stage.  DDC’s Affordable Housing SPD requires a provision of 29% unless justified through a viability appraisal.  No such appraisal has been disclosed to NBC.

·                As the site sits within the Northampton Related Development Area (NRDA) the affordable housing provision will meet the housing needs of Northampton Borough.  Consequently, NBC requests full input into the negotiation and drafting of the s106 with regard to affordable housing, including any discussions relating to financial viability.

·                As part of the wider Dallington Grange SUE, the proposal should make a proportionate contribution towards strategic infrastructure, including education and highway improvements.  NBC requests that no decision is taken until agreement is reached with NCC regarding the primary education contribution.  The s106 should also recognize the proportionate contribution of the development (as part of the greater SUE) towards secondary education and the A45/M1 Access Management Strategy, as set out in the memorandum of understanding between Local Planning Authorities and the County Council.

·                In the absence of appropriate s106 contributions, as set out above, it is considered that the proposal forms an unsustainable, stand-alone, scheme that fails to recognise the affordable housing needs of the area and the wider infrastructure needs of the Dallington Grange SUE.  As such it is inconsistent with Policy N7 of the submission West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and paragraph 14 of the NPPF.

·                Request that DDC clarify the future noise levels associated with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12a