Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors L Mullaney and Smith, with the substitution of Councillor Bray for Councillor Mullaney authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2020.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor W Crooks and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 7 January be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

In relation to application 19/00742/FUL (item 8 on the agenda), Councillor Cartwright declared that the applicant had approached him for a meeting about climate change which he had attended but he stated that he had not formed a view on the application and his ability to sit on the committee and vote on the item was not affected.

Councillors Boothby and Bray declared that they had also met with the applicant but were coming to the meeting with an open mind.

To report progress on any decisions delegated at the previous meeting.

It was reported that all decisions delegated at previous meetings had been issued.

Application for development comprising of up to 140 dwellings and extension of Sketchley Meadows Business Park for up to 30,000 sq m (322,920 sq ft) gross external floor space for Class B2 General Industrial/Class B8 Warehousing and Distribution use with associated means of access from Watling Drive and Sketchley Lane, associated internal estate roads, parking, landscaping, open space and sustainable drainage. (Outline - including access).

‘Late items:’

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda.

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Application for residential development up to 168 dwellings (Outline - access only) with associated means of access onto Markfield Road and Groby Road, car parking, new footpath links, amenity space and landscaping.

‘Late items:’

Consultations

Neighbour Notification

1 further letter of objection has been received raising concerns about the lack of places in the local schools for additional children arising from the development and the local facilities in Ratby are inadequate for any additional housing.

LCC Highways

No objection subject to conditions including traffic calming measures prior to the occupation of the first dwelling.

Appraisal

Infrastructure

The Officer’s report outlines the contributions required from this development in order to fund additional educational places and local services such as Ratby Library and the open spaces within the locality. It is considered that these requests are reasonable and necessary in order to mitigate against the impact of this new development in accordance with Policy DM3 of the SADMP (2016).

Highway Safety

Site Access

The proposal includes a new vehicular access from Markfield Road. The application is accompanied by a road safety audit. The Highway Authority considers that the geometry of the site access is in general accordance with the Leicestershire Highway Design Guide [LHDG] and that details of the access such as drainage and the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing location within the site access can be addressed at the detailed design stage. With regard to the visibility splays required at the site access, the application is accompanied by two speed surveys which were undertaken within the vicinity of the proposed access on Markfield Road between 6 – 12 December 2018. The results of the speed survey recorded 85%ile and 85%ile wet weather speeds in excess of the 30 mph speed limit in each direction. These results recorded are generally in accordance with the speed surveys previously carried out in the locality by the Highway Authority. 

Based on the speed survey results the submitted drawings show detailed visibility splays of 2.4 x 46 metres northbound and 2.4 x 56 metres southbound. However, the Highway Authority has expressed concern that the northbound visibility splay measure 45 metres and would require the removal of all of the vegetation fronting the site boundary with the public highway. Adjacent vegetation overhanging the highway boundary may also need to be cut back to the highway boundary.

The Highway Authority also require that in accordance with the Manual for Streets, as the speeds recorded are in excess of 37 mph, the stopping sight distances outlined in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) may be more appropriate. Therefore, on the basis of 85%ile northbound speeds, a southbound visibility of 65 metres would be required as opposed to 56 metres shown on the submitted drawings.

Based on both the 85%ile and 85%ile wet weather speeds being in excess of the 30mph speed limit coupled with the restricted visibility to the north of the access, the Highway Authority has expressed their concerns that the proposals could lead to drivers pulling out  ...  view the full agenda text for item 295.

Application for residential development up to 168 dwellings (outline – access only) with associated means of access onto Markfield Road and Groby Road, car parking, new footpath links, amenity space and landscaping.

Notwithstanding the officer recommendation that permission be granted, some members felt that the proposal was detrimental to highway safety, not sustainable and would result in flooding. It was MOVED by Councillor Boothby and SECONDED by Councillor Roberts that permission be refused for these reasons. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was LOST.

It was then moved by Councillor Flemming, seconded by Councillor Walker and

RESOLVED –

(i)            permission be granted subject to:

a.          The completion within three months of this resolution of a S106 agreement to secure the following obligations:

·         40% affordable housing, 75% affordable rented and 25% shared ownership

·         £5,070.00 for library facilities at Ratby Library

·         £94,833.37 for education

·         £109,890.00 for health care provision (GP practices)

·         On-site open space requirement of at least 605m² of equipped play area; 2822m² of casual / informal play space and 6720m² of natural green space along with maintenance costs

·         Off-site open space contribution along with maintenance costs for 6451m² of outdoor sports provision and any of the required natural green space which cannot be accommodated on-site, and maintenance of the green space

·         Any highway contributions that may be requested and which are deemed to be CIL compliant

b.            The conditions contained in the officer’s report and late items;

(ii)           The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the final detail of planning conditions;

(iii)       The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the terms of the S106 agreement including the inclusion of any highway contributions and the trigger points and clawback periods of all contributions.

Councillor Boothby left the meeting at this juncture.

Application for erection of 3 detached dwellings.

Application for erection of three detached dwellings.

It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Flemming and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to:

a.    The completion within three months of this resolution of a S106 agreement to secure play and open space obligations

b.    The conditions contained in the officer’s report

(ii)           The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the final detail of the planning conditions;

(iii)          The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the terms of the S106 agreement including trigger points and clawback periods.

Application for erection of four apartments.

Application for erection of four apartments.

Some members felt that the proposal would be overbearing and would constitute overdevelopment, and provided insufficient parking. It was MOVED by Councillor R Allen and SECONDED by Councillor C Allen that permission be refused. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was LOST.

It was moved by Councillor Findlay, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report;

(ii)           The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the final detail of the planning conditions.

Application for erection of 1 No. detached dwelling.

Erection of one dwelling.

It was moved by Councillor R Allen, seconded by Councillor Roberts and

RESOLVED – permission be refused for the reasons contained in the officer’s report.

Application for erection of 8 dwellings and associated access.

Application for erection of eight dwellings and associated access.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Flemming and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report;

(ii)           The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the final detail of planning conditions.

To report on progress relating to various appeals.

In considering the progress of various appeals, members discussed the appeal in relation to application 19/00253/CONDIT from Poundstretcher Limited. It was noted that the Planning Inspectorate had notified the council that the appeal would be by way of written representations. Officers, at the request of the Leader, had sent a written submission to the Planning Inspector in October 2019 requesting that the appeal be determined by way of public inquiry. The Planning Inspector had still stated that the method of appeal should be by way of written representations but that this would be reviewed in five week’s time.