Issue - meetings

Recommendation:  Conditional Approval subject to legal agreement.

Proposal:  Hybrid Planning Application Outline application (all matters reserved only access to be considered) for up to 55 dwellings (Use Class C3) and all associated parking, landscape and access. 

Full planning application for 1.56 hectares of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

Applicant:  Taylor Wimpey and Barton Wilmore

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in Agenda pages 169 to 214.

Members had undertaken a site visit.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included: 

·         An amendment to the recommendation to highlight that the applicant had agreed to a reduction in the timeframes for the submission of reserved matters to one year to show commitment to the development.  Also additional wording regarding the completion of the Legal Agreement;

·         Amendment to condition 4;

·         Additional condition regarding landscaping and boundary treatments adjacent to Lieutenants Cottage;

·         Additional informative.

Andrew Grimes spoke on behalf of Shinfield Parish Council in objection to the application.  He commented that the number of houses for the area as set out in the Managing Development Delivery Plan had already been exceeded.  There was a need to maintain the Green Gap between Three Mile Cross and Spencers Wood.  Whilst the Parish Council recognised the principle of the development, it was felt that the application would only be acceptable if a number of conditions were put in place.  Andrew Grimes stated that drainage in the area was poor and that this needed to be remedied.  He requested that the existing flora and fauna be protected and that Footpath 20 be protected during any construction.  In addition he referred to previously agreed traffic calming measures.  Finally he referred to the impact of the proposed development on Lieutenant Cottage, a Grade II listed building which had limited foundations and already suffered from vibrations from road users.  It was suggested that this building needed to be protected.

Jill O’Connell, resident, spoke in objection to the application. She commented that Spencers Wood was a rural village.  She was of the view that there would be a negative impact on neighbouring properties as a result of noise and light pollution and dust.  It was already difficult to turn into driveways due to traffic and this would be exacerbated by increased traffic.  She expressed concern that the foundations of nearby cottages may be damaged further by vibrations from cars using the road.  She also raised concerns that the privacy of the garden of Lawrence Dene would be compromised.

Gillie Gray, resident, spoke in objection to the application.  She commented that the land was not part of the Strategic Development Location and had not been allocated for housing.  The application was not in keeping with the Shinfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan which referenced the retention of the individual character of the different villages.  Gillie Gray expressed concern regarding the impact on Lieutenant Cottage.  It was felt that fencing erected would cause a loss of privacy and light to her property.  She emphasised that the development would worsen drainage issues in the area and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80