Issue - meetings

Proposed development

Outline Application for the erection of up to 50 dwellings together with new access, parking, landscaping, open space, a children's play area and associated works with all matters reserved except access (as amended by letter dated 09/12/2014 and plan received 09/12/2014 and amended by letter dated 02/01/2015 and received 05/01/2015 and revised flood risk assessment received 05/01/2015).

Recommendation

That, subject to the completion of a S106 agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing, highway and transport improvements, community facilities, education, libraries, playing pitches, play space, open space, sports/leisure centres, recycling and other environmental improvementsand for the setting up of a Management Company, permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions detailed in the agenda report attached.

APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION – WA/2014/1330

Proposed development

Outline application for the erection of up to 50 dwellings together with new access, parking, landscaping, open space, a children’s play area and associated works with all matters reserved except access (as amended by letter dated 09/12/2014 and plan received 09/12/2014 and amended by letter dated 02/01/2015 and received 05/01/2015 and revised flood risk assessment received 05/01/2015) at Land At Furze Lane, Godalming.

The Chairman introduced the Officers present and referred the Committee to the proposed order of business for the meeting.

With reference to the report circulated with the Agenda, Officers presented a summary of the planning history of the site, and the current plans and proposals. Officers showed pictures of the site and plans for the application.

Officers outlined the matters of principle/technical judgement and those matters of judgement and advised Members of information received following the agenda being published and detailed in the Update Sheet. This included reference to the proposals acceptability with Local Plan Policy H3 and clarification on the designation of the site. Details of an offer to be subject to a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 were presented together with the advice of the Council’s external consultant regarding the Flood Risk Assessment. In response to the comments received from the external consultant there was an amendment to Condition 24 concerning a Sustainable Drainage Scheme (SUDS). An additional Condition 34 was proposed regarding detailed plans of the external surfaces of the emergency and maintenance access from the application site to Furze Lane. As a result of correspondence received and matters arising following the preparation of the Agenda, a revised recommendation from Officers was made, as detailed in the Update Sheet.

Officers advised the Committee that the application was for outline planning permission with all matters reserved except means of access and landscape. The Council’s preference was for previously developed land to be developed prior to green field sites. However, the Council was not able to identify a deliverable supply of housing sites from the identified sites that would sufficiently meet the housing demand for the next five years. This was a material consideration of significant weight in the assessment of the application.

The Committee was further advised that the proposal constituted a major development within the Area of Great Landscape Value but that development of this site of housing was a significant public benefit. As such, it was considered that there were exceptional circumstances in this case to justify the development within the AGLV. The proposal does not result in the loss or alienation of the best and most versatile agricultural land. The scheme delivers a substantial level of both market and affordable housing and it was considered that this would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the adverse impact on the character of the Countryside Beyond the Green Belt and AGLV. The proposal adequately mitigated its impact on local infrastructure and demonstrated in terms of flood risk that the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76