Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on [……….] (to be laid on the table half an hour before the meeting).

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2016 were confirmed and signed.

To receive apologies for absence.

Where a Member of the Committee is unable to attend a meeting, a substitute Member from the same Area Planning Committee may attend, speak and vote in their place for that meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paddy Blagden, Stephen Mulliner, Bob Upton and Liz Wheatley. Councillors Jim Edwards and Nick Williams attended as substitutes.

To receive from Members declarations of interests in relation to any items included on the Agenda for this meeting in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.

Councillor Mary Foryszewski declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item A1 as she was the Chair of Cranleigh Parish Council, she was a member of the Cranleigh Parish Council Planning Committee, she was known to Martin Bamford who was a Trustee of the KPI Trust, she was known to and had accepted payment for dog services to Trustee Paul Groll who she met whilst working at the vet offering advice and because she was a trustee of Care Ashore.  

Councillor Stewart Stennett declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Item A1 and left the meeting during consideration of this item.

Councillor Brian Ellis was recorded as declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Item A1. However, this was clarified following the meeting that, in fact before the meeting Cllr Brian Ellis had confirmed that he had a Non-Pecuniary but Prejudicial Interest in the application hence would not be taking part in the debate and would be leaving the room for the consideration of the item.

Proposal

Outline application with all matters reserved except access for the erection of 265 dwellings and formation of public open parkland together with associated works, following the demolition of existing buildings comprising 2 dwellings, glasshouses and associated structures; this application affects a Public Footpath 393 (includes a section of the Wey South Path) and is accompanied by an Environmental Statement (revision of WA/2014/2127).

Recommendation

Recommendation A

That, subject to consideration of a further response from Surrey Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Thames Water, completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure 40% affordable housing, infrastructure contributions towards off-site highway improvements, early years and primary education, off-site highway works, play spaces and open space and the setting up of a Management Company to manage the Country Park, POS and SuDs within 3 months of this date of resolution to grant permission and conditions, and conditions, permission be GRANTED.

Recommendation B

That, if the requirements of Recommendation A are not met permission be REFUSED.

Proposed development

Outline application with all matters reserved except access for the erection of 265 dwellings and formation of public open parkland together with associated works, following the demolition of existing buildings comprising 2 dwellings, glasshouses and associated structures; this application affects a Public Footpath 393 (includes a section of the Wey South Path) and is accompanied by an Environmental Statement (revision of WA/2014/2127) at  Land at West Cranleigh Nurseries and North of Knowle Park between Knowle Lane and Alfold Road  Cranleigh (as amended by additional information received 09/02/2016, 14/12/2015, 06/11/2015 and 24/09/2015).

With reference to the report circulated with the agenda, Officers presented a summary of the planning context for making a decision on the application, and the proposed development including site plans and the layout. Officers outlined the determining issues and those matters of a more subjective nature.

Officers drew attention to the Update Sheet and advised Members that there had been 20 further letters of objection and a further letter from Cranleigh Civic Society regarding Great Crested Newt present. The applicants ecologist responded confirming that consideration had been given to ponds in the local area and the Natural England rapid risk assessment. Surrey Wildlife Trust had also noted the contents of the letter from both parties and and the Trust advised that as none of the ponds surveyed by ARC were found to support Great Crested Newts (GCN), the likely effect of the proposed development on GCN were likely to be appropriate and should address the Society’s concerns.

The Trust further advised that as GCN had been found in the northern part of Cranleigh, that if the development proposals were to proceed, the applicant took a precautious approach to site clearance. If any were found, work should stop and appropriate ecological advice sought and Natural England consulted. Members noted that a further informative be added to the recommendation to remind the applications to take a precautious approach to site clearance.

The Committee also noted that an update had been received from the Environment Agency who recommended that the developers liaised with the sewerage undertaker to ensure there was sufficient capacity within their infrastructure (including sewage treatment works and the sewerage network) to meet future demand.

Public speaking

In accordance with the Council’s arrangements for public participation at meetings, the following made representations in respect of the application, which were duly considered:

Liz Townsend - Objector

Brian Freeston – Parish Council

Paul Hughes, Richard Graham and Martin Bamford – Supporters

The Committee discussed the application which sought outline permission for the development proposal with all matters reserved except for access. Members were reminded that all other matters were to be reserved for future consideration and that this type of planning application sought a determination as to the acceptability of the principle of the proposed development.

The Committee noted that the proposal would assist in the provision of much needed housing in the local area and in the Borough in general and would also have an active  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Proposal

Outline application, with access to be determined, for the erection of 75 dwellings to include 27 affordable dwellings with associated private amenity space and parking. This application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

Recommendation

Recommendation A

That, subject to further comment from the Environment Agency and Thames Water, completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure 36% affordable housing, infrastructure contributions towards off-site highway improvements, primary education, off-site highway works, play spaces and open space and the setting up of a Management Company SuDs, within 3 months of this date of resolution to grant permission, and conditions, permission be GRANTED

Recommendation B

That, if the requirements of Recommendation A are not met permission be REFUSED.

The meeting was adjourned before consideration of this item. A new date will be arranged in due course.