Agenda item

The Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for the demolition of the farmhouse and agricultural buildings and the subsequent erection of 107 dwellings together with the creation of a new access onto Low Eggborough Road, internal roads, landscaping, drainage and the formation of an emergency access onto the A19 at land off Low Eggborough Road, Eggborough, North Yorkshire.

The application had been reported to Committee as it was considered that the application raised significant planning issues such that it was in the public interest for the application to be considered by Committee.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report and highlighted that since the agenda pack had been published three additional objections had been received and a Mr Ian Reynolds had provided a sworn affidavit confirming that he acted for some of the site landowners and restated the case already made by the applicant regarding why he considered the proposed access arrangements acceptable.  None of this additional information raised new issues beyond those already considered in the agenda, nor did they change the recommendation.

Terry Wright spoke, objecting to the application.

Parish Councillor, Christian Cotter, spoke on behalf of Eggborough Parish Council, objecting to the application.

The clerk read out a statement on behalf of the Division Councillor, John McCartney, objecting to the application.

The agent, Mark Lane, spoke on behalf of the applicant, in support of the application.

Members asked questions to the Officer which related to the following.

· Requested clarification on whether the build out proposed on Low Eggborough Road was before or after the proposed access to the site.

· In terms of the affordable housing, it was queried whether the Affordable Housing Officer found the mix of houses acceptable.

· At paragraph 7.16 there was mention of possible excessive internal noise levels within the properties near to the A19, and it was queried if the issue would be addressed by the condition recommended within the report.

· It was noted that the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) had not yet been secured; Members asked for clarification that this would be delivered through planning conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

· Members considered the necessity of undertaking a site visit, accompanied by a Council Highways Officer, in order to assess potential issues along Low Eggborough Road.  Matters identified for inspection included the adequacy of turning space for heavy goods vehicles, the presence of the pinch points along the carriageway, and the visibility afforded by existing splays.  Members were of the opinion that the Highways Officer would be able to explain, on site, how they considered that the proposed mitigation measures were appropriate and acceptable in addressing the identified highways issues. Furthermore, Members considered that a site visit would enable them to make a more balanced and informed assessment of the proposals.

(Councillor Shaw-Wright left the room at 43.05 minutes and returned at 44.19 minutes)

· Members asked that the Highways Officer respond to the concerns raised by local residents and Eggborough Parish Council in relation to safety issues at the site.

The Solicitor highlighted the protocol contained within the Council’s Constitution regarding planning committee site visits.

The officer recommendation was that planning permission be granted, however the motion did not receive a proposer.     

Councillor Warneken proposed, and Councillor Shaw-Wright seconded that the application be deferred to allow a site visit to take place.

The decision

That consideration of the planning application be DEFERRED pending a committee site visit.

Voting record

A vote was taken, and the motion was carried unanimously.

Reason

To gain a better understanding of the site in relation to some of the concerns raised around access and the highway at the site.