Approval of Reserved Matters for the erection of 91 dwellings with associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Approval of reserved matters for the erection of 91 dwellings with associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Approval of Reserved Matters for the erection of 91 dwellings with associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping

Approval of Reserved Matters for the erection of 91 dwellings with associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping

Please refer to the late material circulated before the start of the meeting

Principal Planning Officer, Tony Pope, said that the principal of developing this site for residential purposes had already been established by the granting of outline planning permission in May 2010. Furthermore, the site formed part of a larger housing allocation, as approved in the District Local Plan Review. The planning officer said that the key consideration for the committee at this meeting was the approval of reserved matters for the erection of 91 dwellings at the site. Other issues, including concerns about access arrangements, were not issues for consideration.

Giving a brief synopsis of the proposed drainage strategy, the planning officer said that the proposals were in line with the system that had been agreed by Severn Trent Water, whereby foul water drainage would be connected to the main sewerage system. He said that, as with phase 1 of the scheme, the drainage strategy for the current scheme proposed that all private areas drain to soakaways and that all other surfaces, including public highways, drain to adoptable highway sewers.   

Public speaking

Speaking on behalf of several objectors, an objector to the proposals outlined the following points as part of his statement:

·        The Planning Inspectorate, endorsed the FoDDC Local Plan for a maximum total of 170 dwellings covering both Phase 1 and Phase 2 developments off Onslow Road subject to compliance with certain criteria.

·        Phase 1 dwellings total 141 - this leave the remainder for Phase 2 of 29 dwellings - this is a strong defensible position, criteria being agreed by the Planning Inspectorate, FoDDC and Developers at the time - legal advice taken - subsequent changes do not over-rule this as principle and criterion for development of the sites were formally established and agreed.

·        The location and routing of Bury Bar Lane and that of Nelfields Lane has not been established by FoDDC/GCC - documentary evidence previously provided to the FoDDC establishes legal case in this respect.

·        The main access roadway from Phase 1 to the proposed Phase 2 site crosses Nelfields Lane NOT Bury Bar Lane - this strip of land (track identified as Lane to Nelfields Lane) remains in private ownership - evidence from GCC's legal & estates Depts, FoDDC, local Deeds and Land Registry prove this.

·        The FoDDC are aware of letters from Solicitors and local landowners that identify such issues, rights of access etc. relating to Nelfields Lane (the track).

·        The routing of Bury Bar Lane is not as stated by GCC; GCC, FoDDC, the developers and adjacent landowners are fully aware of this. Bury Bar Lane was "stopped up" in the 1970s during construction of the Hornchurch Estate and Foley Road - verified by the Secretary of State following a Public Enquiry.

·        The result - there is no defined access onto land identified as Phase 2 - previous landowner (Robert Hitchins/Glos Land Company) are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5