Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services

 

The Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services sought determination of planning application ZB24/01642/FUL for the above development.

 

The application was requested to be determined by the Area Planning Committee following a referral by a Member, due to the balance between the conservation impacts and the economic benefits of the proposal.

 

The officer’s presentation detailed

 

·       the history behind medieval burgage plots where the site was located

·       its relationship to the neighbouring properties

·       the heritage asset

·       the existing and proposed site layout

·       the existing and proposed elevations

·       the proposed floor plans of the domestic and commercial units

·       visual detail of the site within conservation area

 

The officer discussed the written update note and confirmed the changes to RFR3 and provided a verbal update in relation to a correction in paragraph 10.21 of the report to that 216 of the NPPF should be 212.

 

The officer advised that the conversations reported in the written update note were informal and no formal response had been received. Officers also confirmed that reference to NPPF should be ‘NPPF December 2024 and amended in February 2025.

 

Councillors asked questions of the officer regarding:

 

·       The size of the domestic properties and whether they met Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS).

·       That the proposed aluminium windows did not suit the conservation area.

·       The lack of parking spaces in the application

·       The orientation of the domestic properties within the site

·       Biodiversity Net Gain. The officer confirmed that the development was exempt

 

Mrs Donna Bell spoke to object to the application.

 

Councillor Gareth Dadd spoke as the Division Member

 

Mr Dan Gracy, agent, spoke in support of the application.

 

During debate Members considered the size and orientation of the domestic units. Members supported the development of domestic properties within the town centre but were mindful that such properties should be of an appropriate size and quality.

 

Discussion took place on the demands placed on the availability of the employment opportunities for local residents, the viability of the town centre, the possibility of placing a condition on the type of windows used in the development, the impact of the shop signage in the Market Place and the support for the local economy.

 

Members queried whether the orientation of the buildings could be changed by 90 degrees. Officers confirmed that NDSS and windows were matters which could be dealt with within the framework of the application but amending the orientation would be a re-design which would attract further consultation.

 

In addition, Members considered the historic value of the burgage plots and the possibility of overlooking of and by neighbouring properties.

 

Members were broadly supportive of the principle of the application but they required further information and for the issues previously listed to be addressed.

 

Councillor Burr wished to propose a deferral however the Chair and the Solicitor were in in agreement that this motion had been already moved by Cllr Knapton.

 

A further motion was moved by Councillor Taylor that Members were minded to grant permission with the decision delegated to officers to deal with the technical aspects but this was not seconded.

 

The Solicitor advised members to consider deferment in line with the constitution and the Chair clarified that minded to grant could not be deferred. A decision could only be to be minded to grant or to be deferred.

 

Councillor Knapton proposed and Councillor Burr seconded that the application be deferred to allow the plans to be amended to clearly illustrate the dimensions of the domestic units.

 

After further discussion the proposal to defer was clarified:

 

• To allow the plans to be amended to illustrate the dimensions of the domestic units to ensure they meet NDSS.
• For officers to discuss the proposed aluminium windows with the applicant.
• For details to be submitted of the proposed style and type of signage at the front of the property.
• To discuss the proposed orientation of the building with the applicant.

 

Decision

 

It was unanimously agreed that Members DEFER the decision for the reasons below:

 

• To allow the plans to be amended to illustrate the dimensions of the domestic units to ensure they meet NDSS.
• For officers to discuss the proposed aluminium windows with the applicant.
• For details to be submitted of the proposed style and type of signage at the front of the property.
• To discuss the proposed orientation of the building with the applicant.