Agenda item

Proposal

Erection of 33 new dwellings and associated garaging (including 5 additional affordable dwellings) following the omission/alteration of 22 dwellings on part of the previously consented site giving a net gain of 11 dwellings

Recommendations

Recommendation A:

That, subject to completion of a 106 agreement within 6 months of the date of the committee resolution to secure Management and Maintenance of Play space and SuDS, provision of 40% affordable housing and financial contributions towards: Education, Transport and Environmental Improvements permission be GRANTED.

Recommendation B:

That, if the requirements of Recommendation A are not met permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1.         The applicant has failed to enter into an appropriate agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing within the meaning of the NPPF, appropriate to meet Waverley Borough Council’s housing need. The proposal would therefore fail to create a sustainable, inclusive and mixed community, contrary to Policy AHN1 of the Local Plan Part 1 (2018) and the requirements of paragraph 50 of the NPPF.

2.         The applicant has failed to enter into an appropriate legal agreement to secure contributions towards education, leisure and environmental improvements. The proposal therefore conflicts with Policy ICS1 of the Local Plan Part 1 (2018), and paragraphs 7 and 17 of the NPPF. 

Proposal

Erection of 33 new dwellings and associated garaging (including 5 additional affordable dwellings) following the omission/alteration of 22 dwellings on part of the previously consented site giving a net gain of 11 dwellings

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 of the layout.

Officers drew attention to the corrections detailed on the update report, in relation to the S106 contribution towards education and the floor area of house type 33.

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:

Gary Worsfold – on behalf of the Applicant

In response to questions from Members, officers provided the following information:

·         Compared to the layout of the original planning permission, two bungalows would be lost in the new layout.

·         The overall percentage of affordable housing proposed met with Waverley’s policy; the housing mix (50% shared ownership, 50% affordable rent) had been reviewed by the Housing Strategy & Enabling Team and they had confirmed they were content with the proposal.

Whilst Members were disappointed that the bungalows had been lost from the scheme, and unhappy about the increase in housing numbers, generally they felt that the proposed housing mix was better than that originally permitted for this parcel of land and were able to support the recommendation on balance.

Members were disappointed that the local ward members from Cranleigh had been advised to declare interests and not take part in the determination of the planning application.

Members were also concerned that the application was described only in terms of the sub-plot within the Amlets Lane scheme, an increase from 22 to 33 dwellings, rather than as an amendment to the scheme as a whole increasing the number of dwellings from 125 to 133, which would automatically trigger a referral to the Joint Planning Committee. Members asked that the Constitution be reviewed by the Standards Committee to ensure it captured the principle that if there is an increase proposed in the number of dwellings on a planning permission granted by the Joint Planning Committee, the proposal must come back to Joint Planning Committee for decision.

Decision

Recommendation A:

RESOLVED that, subject to completion of a 106 agreement within 6 months of the date of the committee resolution to secure Management and Maintenance of Play space and SuDS, provision of 40% affordable housing and financial contributions towards: Education, Transport and Environmental Improvements, permission be GRANTED subject to Conditions and Informatives as detailed in the agenda report.

Recommendation B:

RESOLVED that if the requirements of Recommendation A are not met, permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1.         The applicant has failed to enter into an appropriate agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing within the meaning of the NPPF, appropriate to meet Waverley Borough Council’s housing need. The proposal would therefore fail to create a sustainable, inclusive and mixed community, contrary to Policy AHN1 of the Local Plan Part 1 (2018) and the requirements of paragraph 50 of the NPPF.

2.         The applicant has failed to enter into an appropriate legal agreement to secure contributions towards education, leisure and environmental improvements. The proposal therefore conflicts with Policy ICS1 of the Local Plan Part 1 (2018), and paragraphs 7 and 17 of the NPPF.