Agenda item

Approved.

The report before Members detailed a reserved matters application for the next penultimate phase of the development, Phase 2A which proposed 109 residential dwellings, plus associated infrastructure and car parking.

Members had previously considered an outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Harold Wood Hospital and this had been granted under ref P0702.08 Members had also considered full applications for the construction of the spine road and Phases 1A and 1B and reserved matters applications for Phase 3A, 3B, 5, 4A and 4B of the residential development.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant’s representative.

The objector advised that he was speaking on behalf of the residents of the application site. The objector commented that there had been no consultation with residents from Countryside Properties and that the proposed blocks of flats would impact on the privacy of current residents and would lead to traffic and parking problems. The objector also commented that the four storey block would dominate the local area and overlook existing properties and the nearby church. The objector concluded by commenting that there would be an increase in traffic movements and that there was insufficient parking provision for existing residents due to commuters parking on the development and using the nearby railway station.

With its agreement Councillor Alex Donald addressed the Committee.

Councillor Donald commented that he was objecting to Block B due to the possible overshadowing of existing properties. Councillor Donald also commented that there appeared to be some deviation from the outline permission that had previously been granted. Councillor Donald further commented that there was a lack of parking provision on the site and that Wessex Way was a private road that should only be used by residents and not commuters. Councillor Donald concluded by commenting that the report acknowledged there would be overlooking and that Countryside Properties should consider existing resident’s views.

In response the applicant’s representative commented that the issues raised had been considered at the reserve matters stage. The master plan had previously confirmed the height and orientation of the proposed blocks to help minimise overlooking. The applicant’s representative also commented that the development was proving popular due to its location close to the railway station and the future introduction of Crossrail. The applicant’s representative concluded by commenting that the heritage and open nature of the green spaces on the site had been considered at the outline application stage and been adhered to.

During the debate Members discussed the issues previously raised by the objectors including the possibility of overlooking and the lack of parking provision.

Following a brief discussion as to whether the reserved matters application differed from the previous master plan the Members received clarification of the differences between a parameters plan and a density plan.

Members agreed that the development had been planned and built well and had perhaps become a victim of phased development whereby the existing householders felt that the proposed flats would harm their amenity and increase parking issues.

Members also discussed the existing parking per unit which met the Council’s targets and also discussed the lack of parking restrictions which encouraged commuter parking.

In response to a question regarding possible overlooking Members were advised that it was judged at the time of the outline permission that the relationships between properties had been scrutinised and judged to be acceptable.

Members were also advised that the report detailed that a car parking management scheme had to be submitted by the applicant for approval by the Council prior to first occupation.

It was RESOLVED that reserved matters permission be granted subject to the conditions as set out in the report.  

The vote for the resolution to grant reserved matters permission was carried by 8 votes to 1 with 1 abstention.

Councillor Martin voted against the resolution to grant reserved matters permission.

Councillor Williamson abstained from voting.

As mentioned previously in the minutes Councillor Alex Donald declared a personal/pecuniary interest in application P1131.15. Councillor Donald advised that he was a resident of the application site and would be speaking on behalf of other residents regarding the application.

Following his representations Councillor Donald left the chamber during discussion of the item and took no part in the vote.