Agenda item

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the conditions outlined in the report with an additional condition to secure the closure of the existing vehicular access off Highfield Road, in accordance with details to be approved by the Local Planning Authority before works commence on site.  The access shall be closed within three months of the date of the approved access being brought into use.

The local Member for Osbaston had submitted a letter in respect of applications DM/2019/01300 and DM/2021/00182 as identified in late correspondence.  The chair had read the letter to the Committee during consideration of application DM/2019/01300.

Aled Roberts, objecting to the proposal, attended the meeting by invitation of the Chair and outlined the following points:

·         Residents of Highfield Close consider that there is a cumulative effect of the dwellings accessing from Highfield Close.

·         Residents consider that Woodmancote has an existing access and that reduces the impact on existing residents and consider that this would be the correct way forward.

·         Residents have not been consulted properly.

·         Issues regarding the boundary were considered to be unfair.

·         Residents consider that this is application is an unnecessary addition to the development and could therefore be redesigned and accessed via the existing way.

The applicant’s agent, John-Rhys Davies, attended the meeting by invitation of the Chair and outlined the following points:

·         The same principles apply as application DM/2019/01300.

·         The application offers a substantial improvement to the quality of the dwelling in highway safety by accessing the site via Highfield Close rather than Highfield Road.

·         The applicant’s agent fully endorses the recommendation to the report.

The Head of Planning informed the Committee that full consultation has been undertaken as part of the statutory requirements and legislation.  Also, the case officer did visit the site and met with residents, which was in addition to usual practice, with a view to attempt to address their concerns.

It was proposed by County Councillor B. Callard and seconded by County Councillor M. Powell that application DM/2021/00182 be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report with an additional condition to secure the closure of the existing vehicular access off Highfield Road, in accordance with details to be approved by the Local Planning Authority before works commence on site.  The access shall be closed within three months of the date of the approved access being brought into use.

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

For approval             -           11

Against approval      -           4

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2021/00182 be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report with an additional condition to secure the closure of the existing vehicular access off Highfield Road, in accordance with details to be approved by the Local Planning Authority before works commence on site.  The access shall be closed within three months of the date of the approved access being brought into use.