Agenda item

Re-development of former allotment site to provide five two to three storey blocks comprising 112 residential units, including 30 one-bed, 47 two-bed, 33 three-bed and two four-bed units with associated access, parking and amenity space. (AMENDED PLANS 06/06/2019).

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, subject to delegated authority to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration.

Re-development of former allotment site to provide five two to three-storey blocks comprising 112 residential units, including 30 one-bed, 47 two-bed, 33 three-bed and two four-bed units with associated access, parking and amenity space (AMENDED PLANS 06/06/2019).

Officers introduced the application, and noted the addendum, which clarified conditions included in the report and added an additional Head of Term. Officers also confirmed that the application was not considered to be on a brownfield site, but is a site allocation, and a change to Condition 8 would be included to state that it would be imposed “prior to any works on the site”.

A petitioner spoke in objection to the application, and stated that there were concerns regarding parking, access and emergency and refuse vehicle access. Residents were concerned that only one car per home was allocated in the application, although most homes would have more than one vehicle, and this would lead to more on-street parking in nearby roads. Furthermore, access to the site for lorries related to the building works would be an issue.

The Committee also heard that crime was an issue in the area, and a higher volume of houses may exacerbate this problem, in addition to the pressures that another 112 units would put on local services. The petitioner also expressed concerns regarding the privacy of local residents, with a number of local properties backing onto 3-storey flats.

Responding to questions from the Committee, the agent stated that there were a number of ideas that would help construction vehicles arrive at the site, but these would be dealt with in a construction management plan condition.

A written submission from Councillor Prince, Ward Councillor for Barnhill was read to the Committee, and Members heard that the application would have a negative impact on local resident, due to parking and congestion concerns. In addition, it is already difficult for emergency vehicles to access these roads, and as such, Councillors were urged to refuse the application.

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration confirmed that a construction management condition was included in the addendum, and this would likely ensure that any traffic to the site did not conflict with peak traffic times.

Responding to questioning from the Committee, Officers confirmed that the distance between the second floor of Block E and neighbouring rear gardens was in excess of separation distances, and although there was a roof terrace, it overlooked a blank flank wall due to its orientation.

Members expressed concern regarding the size of the children’s play area, as there was a shortage of these facilities in the area, and as this area was proposed for the whole community, it was questioned whether it should be larger. Officers confirmed that the proposed footbridge into the open space was available for the wider community. The Committee widely agreed that to extend the children’s play area would result in the loss of trees, and this was not acceptable, as trees would help improve air quality in the area. In addition, a request was made to amend Condition 5 to include maintenance of the proposed landscaping.

Officers confirmed that a further condition regarding landscaping maintenance be added to the application, and Members moved the officers recommendation, with the changes included in the addendum and delegated authority to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration to add a further Head of Term regarding contributions to the footbridge.

The recommendation was seconded, and upon being put to a vote, agreed unanimously by the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, subject to the changes outlined in the addendum and delegated authority to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration to confirm an additional Heads of Term and amend Condition 5.