Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Dr T K Khong.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 4 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

In respect of planning application number 16/00316/REM, the Chair declared a non-pecuniary interest insofar he had spoken to a number of residents regarding the same. He confirmed that he attended the meeting without prejudice and with an open mind.

To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 17 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

RESOLVED THAT: 

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 2016 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

RESOLVED THAT: 

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 15 December 2016 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule 24 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

1.      Application No. 16/00316/REM – Land South, Newton Lane, Wigston, Leicestershire

Ms Helen Bearford spoke upon the application on behalf of the applicant.

Ms Bearford stated that David Wilson Homes (DWH) had produced a reserved matters proposal that it considered to be sympathetic to the immediate site surroundings, in-keeping with the character of the Principle Urban Area of Wigston and accorded to the principles of the outline planning permission including the approved Illustrative Masterplan and the Design Guide. She stated that the site was respectful to its edge of settlement location and the careful positioning of dwellings and proposed boundary treatment along the western boundary did not adversely affect the residential amenity of existing properties. The considerable use/amount of public open space, positioning of allotments along the eastern boundary and the retention of the majority of existing trees and hedgerows on site was said to allow the development to assimilate into the landscape and retain its rural-fringe character. The public space network was said to be interactive and fully integrated with the built development. She confirmed that the technical issues raised by the Highways Authority had been resolved and there were no objections from statutory consultees.

The Committee gave consideration to the application (at pages 17 - 25) as delivered and summarised by the Interim Planning Control Manager which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Interim Planning Control Manager emphasised that the application sought the approval of reserved matters only for the residential phase of outline planning permission (application no. 13/00403/OUT) previously incorporating 33 conditions, to which conditions 6 and 7 were of material consideration to the present application.

The Interim Planning Control Manager added that the Flood Risk Assessment provided that each dwelling was to have slab levels of 200mm above the ambient level to reduce or prevent the risk of flooding. He recommended an added condition that information regarding slab levels was to be received by the Planning Authority.

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall sought clarification as to conditions 6 and 7 so-referred.

The Interim Planning Control Manager clarified that condition 6 referred to the Sustainability Statement and condition 7 referred to the Design Guide.

The application was moved for grant of planning permission by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Mrs H E Loydall.

The Vice-Chair enquired as to what measures were to be taken, either by the applicant or Highway Authority, to provide for the future maintenance of the street trees, verges and blocked raised tables incorporating parts of the application site.

The Interim Planning Control Manager advised that the Highway Authority would require a commuted sum to provide for the future maintenance of all highways, streets trees and verges. The collection of other open spaces were said to be collectively-conveyed to a private company made up of constituent residents who, in turn, would assume full responsibility for the future maintenance thereof.

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall stated that she did not accept a number of application’s proposals, namely:

(i)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.