Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 November 2018 (to be laid on the table half an hour before the meeting).

The minutes of the meeting which took place on 28 November 2018 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.

Members are advised that in order for a substitute to be arranged, a Member must give four clear working days notice of their apologies. For this meeting, the latest date apologies can be given for a substitute to be arranged is 2 January 2019.

Apologies were received from Councillors David Else, Carole Cockburn, Val Henry, Simon Inchbald and John Ward. Councillor Peter Martin was in attendance 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.

Prior to the meeting the following declarations were received. Councillors Peter Martin and Paul Follows read their declarations out at the meeting itself and Councillors David Else and Carole Cockburn were not present.

Cllr Carole Cockburn declared a non-pecuniary interest and felt that her working relationship with Mrs Voisin at King Edwards School Witley could call into question her ability to be scrupulously objective.

Cllr David Else declared a non pecuniary interest as, in the past, he had provided professional services for one of the land owners. These services had all been in connection with the working farm (Eashing Farm) but he had no direct connection with this application.

Cllr Mike Band declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was the WBC representative on the Surrey Hills AONB Board

Cllr Peter Martin declared a non-pecuniary interest in the planning application as in addition to being a Waverley Borough Councillor, he was the County Councillor for the division which included Aaron's Hill.  In that capacity he had over the last year or so been involved in discussions and meetings with the Diocese of Guildford education Department, Surrey County Council and residents regarding the future of Green Oak School.  Additionally he had been involved in discussions between Ashill Land Limited, the Diocese of Guildford, Surrey County Council and the Waverley Planning Department regarding the proposed Education contribution from the Developer to the Guildford Diocese Good Shepherd Trust regarding Green Oak School and which now formed part of the application.    

Councillor Paul Follows declared a non-pecuniary interest in the planning application he had met with the applicant and associated representatives to discuss the application on 2 occasions and with planning officers several times. He had also corresponded directly with the applicant on multiple occasions for information. He had also received (along with all JPC members) multiple letters and other material from the applicant lobbying for his support of this application. Cllr Follows was the elected member and opposition group leader at Godalming Town Council (representing the same ward for which he was a borough councillor), a body that has raised objections to this application under its own authority. Cllr Follows was a member of the Waverley Liberal Democrats, an organisation that had raised objections to this application under its own authority. He had several meetings with the Diocese of Guildford in relation to Green Oak School. The Diocese had supported this application under their own authority. He had met with Witley Parish Council, Shackleford Parish Council and their councillors regarding this application in his capacity as the local ward councillor. He had met with local residents and residents associations as individuals and groups on approximately 40 occasions, addressed one large group of around 200 residents to give information on the application and had been in correspondence with many others. Some of these residents had objected to the application.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from members of the public of which notice has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on 2 January 2019.

There were none.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from Members in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on 2 January 2019.

There were none.

Planning Performance and the Government target on quality on planning decision making will now be a standard item on the Joint Planning Committee agenda. This was an agreed recommendation at Executive on 28 November 2017 and is part of the Development Management Service Improvement Plan.

The latest available statistics are attached.

The performance report was noted.

Proposal

Erection of 262 dwellings (Use Class C3) including 78 affordable dwellings together with a 131sqm  building for community use (Use Class D1) and associated works including informal and formal open space, internal road network, landscape enhancement and access; following demolition of existing buildings (as amended by plans received 02/11/2018) at Ockford Wood Farm, No.19 and No.21 Aarons Hill.

Recommendations

RECOMMENDATION A:

That, subject to the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement within 6 months of the date of the committee resolution to grant planning permission, to secure the provision of/contributions towards: 30% affordable housing and market housing mix, education infrastructure, SuDS management/maintenance, off site GP capacity, public open space and play space provision and maintenance, public access, off site highways improvements, travel plan, car club, leisure and green space areas, environmental enhancements, recycling facilities, Surrey Police recruitment and equipment, self build plots, and provision and maintenance of the SANG (as identified in the Appropriate Assessment); subject to conditions and informatives, permission be GRANTED.

RECOMMENDATION B:

That, in the event that the requirements of Recommendation A are not met, permission be REFUSED.

Proposal:

Erection of 262 dwellings (Use Class C3) including 78 affordable dwellings together with a 131sqm  building for community use (Use Class D1) and associated works including informal and formal open space, internal road network, landscape enhancement and access; following demolition of existing buildings

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 then outlined the proposed development including site plans and the layout. Officers outlined the determining issues and those matters of a more subjective nature.

The Committee noted from the Chairman that there were a number of members of the public present in objection to the proposals and as the chamber was full, they were sitting in the overflow rooms and watching the webcast.

Elizabeth Simms, Head of Planning, introduced the background and policy grounds of the application to the Committee. Rebecca Clark, Principle Planning Officer provided Members with the detail to the application and Alex Inglis, Planning Officer, advised Members of the updates since the agenda had been published, Richard Cooper, Principal Transport Development Planner at Surrey CC was also present at the meeting to discuss the highway concerns with Members.

Since the agenda report had been issued, officers advised Members that the CCG had confirmed that the contribution of £168,298.00 requested towards off-site development of GP capacity would be used to expand existing facilities at Hurst Farm Surgery in Milford in order to mitigate the impact of the proposed development. Members noted that it had been confirmed from Thames Water that there was capacity within the existing sewerage network to accommodate 137 units. However, as this did not cover the entirety of the development proposed, Thames Water would undertake an impact study and proceed to carry out any necessary reinforcement works of the network in order to provide foul sewage connection for all units. Consequently, there was no overriding objection raised by Thames Water in respect of foul drainage. Further comments on the proposal were received from the Surrey Hills AONB Advisor, the Forestry Commission and Guildford Borough Council which were detailed in the update sheet.

Additional information was also received in relation to parking on Eashing Lane, heritage considerations and a note from Surrey Highways setting out its response to the objections which had been raised by third parties. Godalming Cycle Campaign had also made comments and there were 3 additional representations. There were a number of questions raised by Members at the site visit which were also answered and detailed in the update sheet.

The Committee noted that along with some amended/additional conditions, there was also revised recommendations, including an additional one to address CIL.

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:

Michael Voisin– Objector

Cllr K Walden – Town Council

Philippa Leftley and Tracy Puttock - Supporter

Debate

The Committee considered the application and raised a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.