Issue - meetings

(Councillor Carolyne Culver declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that she was the local Ward Member for this application. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Carolyne Culver declared that she had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(1).)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 21/02271/FULD in respect of Land North of 31 Horn Street Compton. Planning permission was sought for a two bedroom house.

2.     Ms Sian Cutts, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Service Director – Development and Regulation be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Gareth Dowding, Principal Engineer (Traffic and Road Safety), if he had any observations relating to the highways aspects of the application. Mr Dowding indicated that swept path analysis had been undertaken to show that cars could enter and leave the parking spaces, even with vehicles parked opposite. The driveway dimensions met the required standards. An electric vehicle charge point would be secured through a condition. Visibility splays had been checked based on speed surveys at the site. In conclusion the proposal satisfied all highway requirements.

4.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Martin Buckland, Agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Applicant/Agent Representation

5.     Mr Buckland in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         He was local to the area, having lived in the village for over 30 years.

·         As a daily user of Horn Street, he was aware of how the parking reduced it to a single lane.

·         Most users of Horn Street were local and travelled at low speeds - he had never experienced a collision or near miss on the road.

·         The proposal would deal with existing issues and bring benefits to the area.

·         There were always objections to development proposals, but there was also lots of support for this application.

·         The application was consistent with the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

·         The Case Officer’s report showed that all requirements had been met.

·         There were precedents for infill in the village.

·         The application would create an affordable home that would be within the ‘help to buy’ scheme.

·         He had grown-up children who were unable to afford to buy a home in the village and the proposed major development at the Institute for Animal Health site would not take place for some years.

·         The neighbouring property had been renovated – this had previously been almost uninhabitable – so the proposal would effectively provide two additional properties.

·         The developer had worked closely with the Council, and had agreed to forego rights to build an approved extension on the neighbouring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43