Issue - meetings

Erection of 6 dwellings with new access to Foxdell and erection of 3 dwellings with new access to Dene Road with associated landscaping and parking.

Recommendation: Approval with s106 legal agreement

RESOLVED: That the application be approved.

Erection of 6 dwellings with new access to Foxdell and erection of 3 dwellings with new access to Dene Road with associated landscaping and parking.

Officers presented the application and drew Members’ attention to the addendum, which noted that there were some revised drawings. There was also a minor alteration to include the proposed crossover, and a Heads of Term for managing the implementation of the legal agreement. There was also some amended wording to the construction management plan.

Officers highlighted some verbal updates. Since the publication of the addendum report, officers had received two additional representations. The first was from David Simmonds CBE MP, who noted that residents had raised issues with existing construction works taking place near the site which had rendered Dene Road inaccessible by residents and minivans collecting students from the nearby RNIB Sunshine House School. Concerns had also been raised with the proposed access from Foxdell given the sighting of the tree. The MP would like these matters taken into consideration.

A second representation had been received from a neighbouring resident which identified minor inconsistencies and labelling between the proposed site plan and the floor and elevation plans for the proposed terrace dwellings of No. 7-9. It also raised concerns with the loss of light to the downstairs hall at No. 1 Foxdell. Neighbouring amenity was addressed within the committee report. As this was not a habitable room, any impact would be acceptable. On the inconsistencies in the plans, it was confirmed that the first-floor windows on the side elevation that faced No. 1 Foxdell would be obscured glazed as per the condition.

Two petitions had been received in objection to the application.

The first lead petitioner addressed the Committee and made the following points:

• This petition reflected the concerns of many residents in the Dene Road area, over 30 of whom signed the petition in a matter of days, showing the strong objections to this application.
• This statement was fully supported by the Northwood and Dene Road Residents Associations, representing 120 households.
• This was an impact statement from long-term and permanent residents.
• Since 2022, the application had changed little in its character and impact on neighbouring homes.
• The two single dwellings were substantially larger than the plots for the multiple dwellings and existing houses, calling into question future intentions of remaining single dwellings.
• The affordable housing contribution of £136,750 was inadequate if meant to be equivalent to 35% of homes as per regulations.
• It was not clear why any form of access via Foxdell was required due to there being several hundred yards of frontage both along Dene Road and within the single property plot.
• The property within 17 Dene Road was set well back from the fence with a long driveway to reach the front door. There were large double gates already in place in the plot that could be used for access for all nine developments and ample land to create a comfortable building site base and safe access route  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87