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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2011
Present: Cllr S Jones Cllr M Jones Cllr S Boulton
Cllr J Cusack Cllr C Mumford
In attendance: Cllr Hing, Cllr Harwood, Cllr Wardle, Penny Ibbotson, Martin Hutchings (part) and 6 members of the public (part)
It was RESOLVED to change the order of the proceedings to allow Cllr Boulton to be present for item PL100.
PL094 To note Apologies: Cllr Winney
PL095 Declarations of Interest in items on the agenda
Cllr Mumford declared a possible prejudicial interest on item PL100, application 11/02517/OUT. She would remain present for the discussion, but not vote.
PL098 To review report from GRCC re Housing Need Survey results
39% of households responded, which is an excellent return rate. From these respondents, 50 have family members that have moved away due to lack of affordable housing. The gross median annual earnings are low in the Cotswolds compared to the national average.
89% of respondents were in favour of a small development of affordable housing in Fairford. 9% were not in favour and 2% did not reply.
37 respondents were in need of affordable housing. There are currently 174 affordable homes in Fairford and 1 bungalow in shared ownership. There is a turnover of these properties but this probably does not cover all those in need in Fairford. Existing affordable homes are not always allocated to people in Fairford, applicants just need to be resident in the UK.
PL100 To consider NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS
11/02517/OUT Outline application for the erection of 22 affordable and 22 market dwellings with associated access and estate road, open space and parking at land at Pip’s Field, Cirencester Road, Fairford
Cllr S Jones summarised the comments raised at the public meeting on 12th September 2011 (see separate sheet). Two further comments were added to the list.
Cllr Wardle has been in touch with Thames Water re sewer and drainage concerns with the application. A response has been promised by 23rd September 2011.
Policy: Permission was granted for 15 affordable homes on the southern part of the site. In 2010 an application for 15 market houses was refused.
Pip’s Field is an Exception Site outside the Development Boundary.
The land is included in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), though FTC has concerns about the extent of land included in this document.
According to the Interim Housing Guidance Note, sites outside of the Development Boundary will only be considered if located adjacent to an existing Development Boundary. Pip’s Field falls into this category. Development must also be commensurate with evidence of local and economic need in order to reduce commuting.
Certain saved policies are also relevant: CDC Policies 19, 21 and 46
Layout: There are already 15 approved affordable houses proposed on the site, the % of affordable houses should be based on the additional units to this 15.
The layout is too dense.
It would be preferable for the housing to be located further from the Betterton’s Close boundary and bungalows located along this sensitive edge.
Parking should not be located so close to Betterton’s Close.
The affordable housing is not well distributed through the scheme.
Traffic: The access is already permitted, but this now relates to a different layout.
The 30mph would not definitely be extended – FTC must press for this if the scheme is to go ahead.
The rural approach to Fairford must be protected.
Lorries would have to be required to approach and exit from the Cirencester side of the access ie not through the town.
The Coronation Street junction is already difficult and dangerous.
There should be a footpath link to the existing footpath to Betterton’s Close.
The traffic survey was carried out in the school holidays.
Residents would be likely to drive to town centre and schools and surgery – causing increased congestion.
There is not an adequate bus service.
Sewage/Flooding: There is concern whether the existing system could cope with an increase in capacity.
The increase in hard surface could impact on surface water flow.
Schools/Surgery: There is concern that the surgery could not cope with the increased demand. FTC has been in contact with the surgery but not received satisfactory response to date.
There is some capacity at local schools and this is not likely to be a strong enough reason to object. Farmor’s School would like to be considered for S106 support.
5 years ago Fairford was not thought to be sustainable in the CDC Local Plan for further development – nothing seems to have changed since then.
Jobs: According to the Interim Planning Guidance, development must be commensurate with local need – the number of jobs currently available in Fairford does not meet this argument.
Housing Need: According to the recent survey, 37 respondents are in need of affordable housing. It was thought the approved scheme of 15 affordable units would be adequate to cover this need in conjunction with the existing affordable housing provision. The Council continues to support the permitted development for 15 affordable homes.
It was RESOLVED to give a recommendation to Full Council to OBJECT to the application. (Cllr Mumford abstained).
ACTION: Cllr S Jones and Penny Ibbotson to prepare a letter to explain the reasons for objecting and circulate to all Councillors to consider.
Cllr Boulton, Martin Hutchings and members of the public left the meeting.
PL096 To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6th September 2011 and the Public Meeting held on 12th September 2011
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6th September 2011 (060-061 11/12) and the minutes of the public meeting held on 12th September as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.
PL097 Matters arising:
Letter to Corylus re footpath: An email has been sent to Corylus re the long term closure of the public footpath – no response to date.
Feedback from surgery: The response did not cover all the points raised and further information has been requested.
PL099 To review decision notices for PERMITS / CONSENTS received:
11/03068/LBC New boiler flue at Holmdene, Mount Pleasant, Fairford
PL100 To consider NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS (continued)
11/03972/FUL Erection of single storey extension at 6 Dynevor Terrace, Coronation Street, Fairford
SUPPORT THE APPLICATION
11/04169/TPO Trees in garden of 1 Fayre Gardens. TPO135A.1.T.1 – large sycamore, crown reduction of 25%. T2 – sycamore, fell, replacement tree will be planted
Advice has been sought from a Tree Warden. Trees in Fayre Gardens have slowly been disappearing since the area was developed. There is no objection to the crown thinning of Tree 1 but it was agreed to object to the felling of Tree 2 as there seems to be no valid reason for its removal. The proposed replacements are much smaller in size.
11/04258/TPO Fell ash at 3 Fayre Gardens, Fairford
Advice has been sought from a Tree Warden. Trees in Fayre Gardens have slowly been disappearing since the area was developed. It was agreed to object to the felling of the tree as there seems to be no valid reason for its removal.
ACTION The Clerk to base responses to CDC on comments from the Tree Warden for both applications.
PL101 To consider request from member of public to view in camera minutes regarding meetings with Archstone Land.
Following advice sought from CDC, it was RESOLVED to allow confidential minutes of meetings regarding possible development by Archstone Land in west Fairford to be in the public domain, providing Archstone Land was also in agreement. This is an exception agreement and does not relate to all ‘in camera’ minutes.
PL102 To consider offer from Corylus Planning to invite committee members to a site visit at Coln Park ref recent planning applications
It was thought a further site visit would be beneficial, and it would be useful to combine the visit with Kempsford and Lechalde if possible.
ACTION: The Clerk to arrange a date.
PL103 Items the Chairman considers urgent: None
PL104 Next meeting: Tuesday 4th October 2011
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