Agenda item

[County Councillor D. Dovey declared an interest and left the meeting at 4.13pm]

We considered the report of the application which was recommended for approval subject to the three conditions outlined in the report and subject to Section 106 financial contribution of £9982.00 for affordable housing.

The Local Member was not present at the meeting but made the following comment:

“May I provide my objection for the following planning application for an erection of a detached 2 bedroom bungalow. My objections are in respect to the unsuitable site of a back garden development. The design will not fit in with the local houses in the area and it will increase the amount of traffic to the existing property which resides on one of the busiest roads in the area (B4245 Caldicot Road, Rogiet). I ask that this application is brought to full planning committee for the above reasons.”

Having received the report of the application and the view of the local Member, the following points were noted:

·         The view was expressed that Members wishing to voice concerns about applications should attend the site visit and that the back garden was of sufficient size for the proposed development. 

·         Members commented that S106 contribution to affordable housing has been agreed, there is no problem with access and that there should not be any impact on traffic.  The application was supported.

·         Attention was drawn to Policy S4 of the LDP and the contribution to affordable housing and suggested that these terms and conditions are welcomed in reports.  

The Development Management Area Team Manager explained that S4 is reliant on viability.  It was also confirmed that the clause allowing Officers to refuse permission if a S106 contribution Legal Agreement has not been completed within 6 months is used as circumstances require.

·         Clarity was requested why this application was different to the previous one.  It was questioned if permission was granted and the plot was then sold, if we would encounter the same situation of the application being re-presented as not viable and therefore not make a contribution to affordable housing. 

The Head of Planning, Housing and Place Shaping explained that if a S106 is not signed, then the permission does not exist.  If the S106 has been signed, a new agreement can be refused.  It may be possible to submit a new application.

·          It was questioned if this application was deferred for the applicant to make a unilateral agreement, if that would stay with the land.

The Head of Planning, Housing and Place Shaping responded that it would as it is tied to the planning permission.  Unallocated sites have an unilateral agreement to avoid delays.  The downside is that the Legal Department will be preparing such agreements for schemes that may be refused by Committee or under delegated powers.  His advice, in this instance, was to get the S106 agreed rather than apply a unilateral agreement.

It was proposed by County Councillor D. Evans and seconded by County Councillor J. Higginson that application DM/2018/01028 be approved subject to the three conditions, as outlined in the report.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were noted:

For Approval               -           12

Against Approval         -           0

Abstentions                 -           0

The proposition was unanimously carried.

We resolved that application DM/2018/01028 be approved subject to the three conditions, as outlined in the report and subject to Section 106 financial contribution of £9982.00 for affordable housing.