We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report.

 

The local Member for Caldicot Castle ward attended the meeting by invitation of the Chair and outlined the following points:

 

·         The majority of residents are opposed to the development.

 

·         There are concerns regarding the distribution of the affordable housing units throughout the site as the units are intended to be pepper potted.   However, there is a large section of affordable units situated in the new section of the site.

 

·         Taking into account the affordable housing units that are already located within the Neddern Rise development, this abuts the area of affordable units situated in the new section of the site creating a very large concentration of affordable housing in that section of the whole area.

 

·         There have been a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in that area.  Residents are concerned that this matter would be exacerbated by providing more single bed occupancy premises there.

 

·         Drainage and flooding issues are a concern for this area. Caldicot had recently flooded with some properties affected by flood water.

 

·         The report of the application indicates that the drainage system is still to be designed. Water will stay in pipes underground except in extreme rainfall events. Concern was expressed that in extreme weather conditions the water will run off into properties, as recently experienced.

 

·         Residents suffering from flooding will not be residing on the new development as this is located on a hill.  The residents affected will be the ones who reside downstream and at the bottom of the hill.

 

·         Attenuation basins need to be carefully looked at.  Concern was expressed that they will not be sufficient to cope with extreme rainfall events.

 

·         The County Council had passed a climate emergency policy acknowledging that extreme weather events will occur more often. The County Council has a responsibility not to make ill-advised decisions regarding this matter.

 

·         With regard to the construction traffic management plan, there are concerns about traffic movements on and off the site. The current proposal is for all routes to go through one area on the site.  However, there is potential for a second access point on the site.

 

·         There are existing issues relating to planning and traffic movements in the Neddern Rise development which need to be solved or additional problems will occur.

 

Having considered the report of the application and the views expressed by the local Member, the following points were noted:

 

·         The drainage issues should be addressed, going forward.

 

·         Concern was expressed regarding the clustering of affordable housing units adjacent to other affordable units from a previous development.

 

·         Caldicot Town Council had also raised concerns regarding the matters raised by the local Member.

 

·         Concern was expressed regarding the construction traffic management plan and the impact that this will have in the morning commute / school run and afternoon school run.  It was suggested that consultation be undertaken with the local Member regarding this matter to alleviate any potential problems that might occur. 

 

·         In response to issues raised, the Head of Planning informed the Committee that in relation to the construction traffic management plan, that is a separate planning application which is being reviewed by the Highways Department. Determination of this application will be made in due course. Some of the other matters raised are subject to other planning applications which are being considered by officers.

 

·         Drainage matters are also being reviewed via a separate planning application.

 

·         With regard to flooding matters, this application is not located within a flood zone. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) did not object to the planning application, neither did it object to the outline planning consent.  Welsh Government had also reviewed that planning application via a call in consideration but did not call in the application.

 

·         The development is in accordance with TAN 15 and does not have any potential implications regarding flooding.

 

·         With regard to land drainage, this is part of a separate planning application.  The runoff rates will be a greenfield rate which will be the same or similar to the current run off rate.

 

·         The Neddern Brook did flood recently.  However, it is a flood plain and is there to take away flood water within that area.

 

·         With regard to the distribution of affordable housing, officers have worked with the developer with a view to providing pepper potting throughout the site.  There is an existing area of affordable housing units in the location.  Monmouthshire County Council’s policy is that properties over 15 are not pepper potted. There is a boundary along the rear of the existing properties.  This housing estate will not function together.  It is considered that there is no issue with how the affordable housing units are distributed throughout the site.  35% of the properties on the site are affordable housing units (45 units) making it difficult to have a fully pepper potted scheme.

 

·         Pepper potting of affordable housing units encourages inclusion within the community.

 

·         It was considered that none of the drainage plans, under current standards, would pass. However, it was noted that the application had come forward before these approvals were required.

 

·         Disappointment was expressed that there were only three bungalows located on the site as there is a national shortage of these properties which are in high demand.

 

·         Reference was made to the height of the dwellings being a maximum of nine metres and how this related to existing properties within the surrounding area.  In response, the heights of the properties have been carefully looked at in comparison to the existing dwellings and the levels on the site and they will not look incongruous. The design of the properties will tie in with existing housing development.

 

·         The Head of Planning informed the Committee that the affordable housing units have been pepper potted throughout the site in appropriate locations providing a balanced spread of properties.

 

·         There is a clear demarcation between the existing affordable housing units and the new affordable units.

 

The local Member summed up as follows:

 

·         The pepper potting of the site is an important issue.

 

·         Residents need to feel that they have been heard in respect of this development.

 

·         The issues regarding antisocial behaviour have been reported to the Police.

 

·         The local Member asked to be kept informed of developments in respect of the drainage issues, going forward.

 

It was proposed by County Councillor G. Howard and seconded by County Councillor M. Feakins that application DM/2019/01761 be approved subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report.

 

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

 

For approval             -           11

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           2

 

The proposition was carried.

 

We resolved that application DM/2019/01761 be approved subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report.