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 which took place on 20 September 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 David Hunter, Nick Williams Chris Storey, Denis Leigh and John Ward. Bob Upton attended as a substitute.  

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Proposal

Erection of 54 dwellings includng 16 affordable homes with associated parking, landscaping and amenity space at Land South Of Elmbridge Road,  Cranleigh (As amended by additional information received 20.01.2017 and 18.08.2017)

Recommendations

Proposed development

Erection of 54 dwellings including 16 affordable homes with associated parking, landscaping and amenity space at Land South Of Elmbridge Road, Cranleigh (As amended by additional information received 20.01.2017 and 18.08.2017).

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 advised that since the agenda had been published additional information had been supplied by the applicant in relation to the level of the bridge, in response to the photographs provided showing flooding in the area. This had been forwarded to the Environment Agency who stated that the applicant had run a site specific fluvial flood model and no built development or storage of any materials (including soils) would be located within the areas of the site at higher risk of flooding. This would ensure that there would be no increased risk of flooding to other lans/properties due to impedance of flood flows and/or reduction of flood storage capacity.

Officers advised that the applicants had requested a number of amendments to the conditions and these were noted in the update sheet.

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:

Richard Bryant – Objector

Cllr Freeston – Parish Council

Sophie Thorpe - Supporter

Councillor Liz Townsend spoke in her capacity as Ward Councillor for Cranleigh West.

Discussion

The Committee considered the application following the officers presentation and listening to the Objectors, Parish Council and Supporter. There was also expert advice provided by a Technical Flood Consultant who answered questions in relation to concerns regarding flooding on the site.

There were a number of concerns raised about the site, in particular flooding and photos were shown where flooding had occurred previously. Members questioned the need for a sequential test and the information that had been supplied. There was also concern raised by the site being unsustainable with no easily safe and accessible walking routes into the town centre. A further concern was raised about the size of the dwellings which was below that recommended within government guidelines.

Officers advised the proposal would result in a logical extension of the settlement boundary, to provide for additional housing, and whilst the Council could demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply, provision of well designed additional housing in sustainable locations would strengthen the Council’s housing land supply position. Additionally, the harm to the countryside would be limited to the application site, and would not have a detrimental impact upon the wider countryside or landscape character. The proposal would also deliver other benefits such as the provision of 30% affordable housing and the off site infrastructure enhancements which were listed in the heads of terms. Officers advised that on balance, the benefits of this development outweighed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.