Issue - meetings

Application for residential development for up to 176 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) (Outline - access only).

‘Late items:’

Consultations:-

Further comments have been received from Councillor M. Cook making the following points;

• Although Market Bosworth Community Library is housed in a former school building it is completely annexed from the nearby school.  It has its own entrances, car parking and facilities and it is open over the seven days and evenings per week and run entirely by volunteers.

• At a recent Sunday science workshop in Market Bosworth Library, three of the 10 children attending lived in Barlestone. At a recent primary school event held in the HUB, of the four randomly selected children representing Market Bosworth Primary School - two lived in Barlestone.  If a little evidence gathering had taken place, given my local knowledge, I am certain it would have shown that both libraries are used equally.  Both communities work hard to maintain the library and its services and deserve all the support we can give.

• The proximity to both Newbold Verdon and Market Bosworth is as equal as it can be:  (AA route planner)

            • Barlestone to Market Bosworth - 5 minutes 2.7 miles

            • Barlestone to Newbold Verdon - 6 minutes - 2.5 miles

• Dare I suggest that this is the reason LCC requested the provision for both libraries?

Appraisal:-

The Officer Report sets out the sum of money that was requested towards Library services, LCC initial response does suggest that this should be split equally between both libraries given the equal distance from the site. However, the Officer report is worded as such following discussions with the ward Councillor for Barlestone and Officers of LCC who agreed that the money would be best directed to Newbold Verdon Library as although the libraries are equal distance apart, the route to those libraries is more accessible to residents when travelling to Newbold Verdon, given there is a footpath route that links the two settlements, this is not the case to Market Bosworth.

Recommendation:-

The recommendation remains unchanged from as set out on the agenda.

Application for residential development for up to 176 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage systems (outline – access only).

Notwithstanding the officer’s recommendation that permission be granted, some members felt that the development was out of keeping with the character of the area. It was MOVED by Councillor WJ Crooks and SECONDED by Councillor Cartwright that the application should be refused. The meeting adjourned at 7.10pm for the mover and seconder to draft their reasons for refusal and reconvened at 7.18pm.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – permission be refused for the following reasons:

(i)            The development would be out of keeping with the character of the area and therefore, contrary to policies DM4 and DM10 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD;

(ii)          The site is accessed via an unclassified road with on-street parking and the nearby junctions are over capacity, the proposal is therefore detrimental to highway safety contrary to policy DM17 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD.