Agenda item

Considered

The report of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Service requesting Members to determine a planning application ref. 18/05202/EIAMAJ.

The application was brought before the Committee because there is a requirement for the application to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement and because the site is part of a wider ‘urban extension’ to the West of Harrogate.

Planning Officers presented the Committee report, highlighting the proposal; the site location and description; the context to the application; planning guidance; and policy and planning considerations. The report also provided a conclusion and recommendations.

David Siddans, Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents’ Association, addressed the Committee and highlighted the following.

·        The current infrastructure cannot support the level of development and the strategic infrastructure package does not adequately support it either.

·        Increased congestion and risk of road accidents.

·        Negative environmental impact and the failure to better incorporate sustainable travel.

·        Poorer quality of life.

Divisional Member, Councillor John Mann, addressed the Committee and highlighted the following.

·        Lack of infrastructure.

·        Increased congestion on country lanes.

·        Suggested potential conditions:

o   Due to the proposed yellow lines on Whinney Lane, a compensatory parking area should be produced adjacent to Craig View – restrictions should not be imposed until this is in place. Traffic calming measures for the Northern section of Whinney Lane should be included in a schedule of reserved matters.

o   Construction management plan should prevent heavy construction vehicles from using the Northern section of Whinney Lane.

o   Access to employment land on the site should avoid business traffic using residential streets.

o   More frequent bus service – perhaps every 20 minutes.

o   More frequent bus service – every 20 minutes.

Councillor Derek Spence, Beckwithshaw Parish Council, addressed the Committee and highlighted the following.

·        Inadequate road infrastructure is unsafe and there is no timetable for mitigation.

·        No on-site provision of GP or dental surgeries and the current provision is inadequate.

·        Lack of secondary school places.

·        Rights of way impacting on privacy.

Diana Richardson, representing the applicant addressed the Committee and highlighted the following.

·        Worked collaboratively with NYC - South West Harrogate Parameters Plan, Cumulative Transport Assessment and Infrastructure Delivery Schedule.

·        Sustainability of the development.

·        Infrastructure provided.

·        S106 contributions.

Members discussed the application, and the following issues were outlined.

·        Affordable housing will be part-ownership and rentals.

·        Designs should fit in with the local vernacular.

·        Condition 45 requires an energy statement to be submitted. Solar panels, ground-source heat pumps and other infrastructure should be considered.

·        Green field sites in the Harrogate area should viably meet the affordable housing target.

·        Independent viability studies have already been carried out and any changes would require NYC approval.

·        The application was received before mandatory BNG was introduced and so whilst NYC will work with the Applicant to get a better result, a minimum of no net loss of biodiversity is required.

·        Cycle lanes and the active travel scheme will be early in the development.

·        The spine road must be complete prior to the occupation of the 200^th dwelling. The bus service requires the spine road.

There was a discussion on whether conditions regarding compensatory parking, prohibition of construction traffic using the North of Whinney Lane and the separation of access to employment land from residential streets should be added at this stage. Members agreed to not add conditions now and consider these concerns at the reserved matters stage.

Resolved

That the application be GRANTED subject to the conditions listed in the report and completion of a S106 agreement.

Voting on this resolution was as follows.

12 for

0 against

0 abstain