Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Applicant: Bloor Homes Ltd

Proposal: Application for approval of Reserved Matters pursuant to Outline Planning Consent O/2014/2280 dated 02/04/2015. The Reserved Matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) comprise details of 126 dwellings within parcel V1S with access via the Lakeside Bus Loop, associated internal access roads, parking, landscaping, open space, footpaths and drainage.

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 13 to 46.

The Committee were advised that there were no updates within the Supplementary Planning Agenda.

Rebecca Fenn-Tripp, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application. Rebecca stated that the site had been granted outline planning permission, and this application sought reserved matters approval for 126 high quality homes. The site would include 25 affordable homes, delivering twenty percent on-site provision of affordable housing, in line with the S106 agreement. Rebecca stated that the development incorporated a variety of house types, materials, and architectural details to provide sufficient interest and differentiation across the site. Rebecca added that all of the proposed dwellings met or exceeded national space standard requirements, whilst the site would also meet the Borough’s parking standards, whilst also incorporating electric vehicle charging points. The proposals would include the planting of 43 new trees in addition to new hedgerows, whilst retaining the three mature oak trees found on-site. Rebecca concluded by stating that the proposals would provide a ten percent reduction in carbon emissions including via the provision of photovoltaic panels.

Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey queried whether electric vehicle charging infrastructure would be put in place across the site to allow activation when needed, queried whether photovoltaic panels would be offered to residents, and queried whether there were any plans to install heat pumps across the development. Christopher Howard, case officer, stated that condition 5 set out the requirements relating to electric vehicle charging. Christopher added that it was up to the developer as to how they wished to install, or offer up for installation, photovoltaic panels.

Stephen Conway queried whether thirty-five percent affordable housing would be delivered on-site across the wider SDL. Christopher Howard stated that this application would deliver twenty percent on-site affordable housing, and a monetary contribution for fifteen percent off-site affordable housing, in line with the S106 agreement made at outline. The off-site contribution would go towards affordable housing developments across the Borough, an example of which could be seen at the Gorse Ride redevelopment. Connor Corrigan, Service Manager - Planning and Delivery, clarified that it was agreed at outline to allow off-site contributions towards affordable housing, and it was down to Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to decide where the off-site affordable houses should be developed. Across the wider SDL, twenty percent of the homes would be affordable whilst a contribution for the equivalent of fifteen percent affordable housing would be received in line with the S106 agreement.

Andrew Mickleburgh queried whether all associated infrastructure relating to electric vehicle charging including transformers would be installed at the point of development of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24