Agenda item

Conversion and refurbishment of the Manor House to provide 4 x 2-bed flats, construction of 9 x 3-bed three-storey houses and 10 x 4-bed four-storey houses and a three-storey building comprising 6 x 2-bed flats, refurbishment of the Long Room for continued office use, together with associated car parking and landscaping.

Recommendation - Grant planning permission subject to the Environment Agency not raising an objection to the scheme.

Conversion and refurbishment of the Manor House to provide 4 x 2-bed flats, construction of 9 x 3-bed three-storey houses and 10 x 4-bed four-storey houses and a three-storey building comprising 6 x 2-bed flats, refurbishment of the Long Room for continued office use, together with associated car parking and landscaping.

Officers introduced the report and referred members to the addendum sheet that had been circulated.

Members discussed parking allocation and agreed for amendments to be made to conditions 27 and 11, 2d with condition 27 to be agreed by the Chairman and Labour Lead.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being put to the, vote was unanimously agreed.

Resolved - Subject to the Environment Agency not raising an objection to the scheme, delegated powers be given to the Head of Planning, Green Spaces and Culture to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions, and any additional conditions and/or informatives which may be required by the Environment Agency:

A) That the Council enters into an agreement with the applicant under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and/or other appropriate legislation to secure:

1. Education: a financial contribution in the sum of £147,710 towards educational facilities.

2. Health: a financial contribution in the sum of £16,984.76 towards health provision.

3. Libraries: a financial contribution in the sum of £1,802.97 towards library provision.

4. Highways: any and all required highways works are to be adhered to and the cost met by the developer.

5. Affordable Housing Review Mechanism: 15% of units as affordable housing and a review mechanism which can be applied in the event the development  s not substantially commenced within 18 months of the grant of planning permission.

6. Construction Training: either a financial contribution, or an in-kind scheme delivered during the construction phase of the development, should be secured (in either event the 'obligation' should be delivered equal to the formula of £2,500 for every £1 million build cost + 14/160 x £71,675 = total contribution).

7. Project Management and Monitoring Fee: a financial contribution equal to 5% of the total cash contributions towards the management and monitoring of the resulting agreement.

B) That in respect of the application for planning permission, the applicant meets the Council's reasonable costs in preparation of the Section 106 and any abortive work as a result of the agreement not being completed.

C) That officers be authorised to negotiate and agree the detailed terms of the proposed agreement and conditions of approval.

D) That if any of the heads of terms set out above have not been agreed and the S106 legal agreement has not been finalised within 3 months of the date of this Committee resolution, or such other date as agreed by the Head of Planning, Green Spaces and Culture, delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, Green Spaces and Culture to refuse planning permission for the following reason:

'The applicant has failed to provide contributions towards the improvement of services and the environment as a consequence of demands created by the proposed development (in respect of affordable housing, education, health and library facilities, and construction training). The proposal therefore conflicts with Policies AM2, AM7 and R17 of the adopted Local Plan and the Council's Planning Obligations SPD and Air Quality SPG.'

E) That subject to the above, the application be deferred for determination by the Head of Planning, Green Spaces and Culture under delegated powers, subject to the completion of the legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other appropriate powers with the applicant.

F) That if the application is approved, the conditions and informatives in the officer’s report be attached and the changes in the Addendum.