Agenda item

Report of Head of Planning

(copy herewith)

Ward: Nene Valley

The Head of Planning submitted a report in respect of application N/2012/0757 and referred to the addendum that set out a representation made by Councillor Larratt. The planning history of the application was referred to as set out in the report and commented that an application made in 2010 had been granted for permission to develop the site for 71 dwellings and associated infrastructure. However, the proposed scheme differed from the previously approved development as there had been a reduction in the number of dwellings to 58 with car parking spaces for 137 vehicles and would include improvements to the existing footpath.

Mr Bainbridge, the Agent for Redrow, addressed the Committee. He commented that his clients were pleased with the officer’s report and recommendations and it was explained that the company had continually engaged with Hardingstone Parish Council. It was noted that the proposed housing differed from the original proposal of 2010 and explained that all technical considerations had been resolved. It was noted that the proposed development would be a mixture of dwellings to include social, rental and affordable housing to address housing needs. As part of the Section 106 Agreement, Mr Bainbridge explained that his clients were agreeable to payment of a £99,000 contribution to fund the provision of off-site open space facilities to be ring fenced for use only in the Parish of Hardingstone.

In response to questions of the Committee, Mr Bainbridge explained that the 35% provision of affordable housing was local policy required by the Borough Council. He explained that the reason the affordable units are proposed to be developed in a single cluster was to ensure that the delivery, build and management of the dwellings would be considerably easier for the managing agents than if it were more spread out.

Councillor Larratt addressed the Committee and commented that the hoped that the Committee would agree to the proposed ring-fencing of funding to Hardingstone Parish. He voiced concerns about the clustering of the properties and requested that the provision be distributed throughout the site. It was noted that there had been some communication from strategic housing officers who had expressed  concern with regards to the clustering of developments. Councillor Larratt further explained that he had been in communication with the Residents Association in Hardingstone.

Councillors Davies and Meredith voiced their displeasure at an attempt by a Councillor who was not a member of the Planning Committee, attempting to circulate a note during the meeting and commented that such behaviour could potentially bring the Committee into disrepute.

The Head of Planning commented that officers’ preference is for the affordable units not to be in a single group but broken into smaller groups.  To this end they had, along with other matters, negotiated with the applicant, however on this particular point the applicant had been unwilling to revise the scheme.  Given the number of units concerned is only 20 and this would be a mix of 5 affordable rented, 9 social rented and 6 low-cost home ownership tenures, notwithstanding officers’ preference it was not considered that this point would warrant refusal of the application or justify delay in its determination.  It was also commented that the new proposal represents an improvement on the original permission of 71 dwellings due to the omission of flats. He also reminded members that they were to make a decision based on the application in front of them.

The Committee discussed the application:

RESOLVED: That the application be approved in principle subject to

(a) prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure:

i)             the provision of 35% of the dwellings for affordable housing

ii)            a payment to fund the provision of off-site open space facilities within Hardingstone Parish

iii)           a payment to fund the provision of primary school education

iv)           a payment to fund the provision of bus shelters within Newport Pagnell Road and for their maintenance

v)            a payment to fund the reduction of the speed limit within this section of Newport Pagnell Road from 40mph to 30mph

vi)           an obligation for the developer to ensure that the proposed on-site open space be made available for public use in perpetuity and maintained

vii)         the Council’s monitoring costs

(b)The conditions set out in the report and the Addendum

In the event that the Section 106 Agreement is not completed within three months from the date of this Committee meeting, the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to refuse or finally dispose of the application at their discretion, on account of the necessary mitigation measures not having been secured in order to make the proposal acceptable in line with the requirements of Northampton Local Plan Policy E19 and the National Planning Policy Framework.