Agenda item

Proposal: The erection of 120 homes together with associated infrastructure including access/highway improvements, drainage and attenuation, play area, open space and landscaping

The Development Management Specialist introduced the report and explained that consent has previously been granted on the site for 95 houses and it was now proposed to build 120 houses which were smaller in size than those previously approved.  There was an increase in 2 and 3 bedroom properties and more would be affordable.  The layout was an improvement on the previous scheme.

One of the Ward Members, Councillor Neil Bloomfield, proposed that the application be referred directly to the Regulation Committee.  He said that if the Committee refused the application, it would be referred to that committee in any case and he did not see the point in hearing the application twice.  His proposal was seconded by Councillor Dean Ruddle.

At the Chairman’s request, the Development Management Lead Specialist explained the reason for the Regulation Committee to ensure consistent decision making across the 4 Area Committees and to ensure the Local Plan was administered consistently.

During a short debate, it was noted that the Committee had previously refused permission at the site for 95 houses but permission had been granted on appeal.  Some Members expressed concern that they were setting a precedent by not discussing the application or hearing the public comments. Councillor Mike Hewitson asked that his dissent to the proposal be registered. 

The proposal to defer the application to the Regulation Committee was put to the vote and carried by 6 votes in favour and 3 against.

(Voting: 6 in favour, 3 against, 0 abstentions)

The Chairman noted that 11 members of the public had registered to speak on the application and there were more in the audience to hear the debate.  He thanked them for attending and urged them to attend the Regulation Committee meeting on 16^th July at 2.00pm.