Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Redevelopment of site to include demolition of existing garages/maisonettes and erection of 30 affordable dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping. 

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION: Delegated permit

31.25        This application was for redevelopment of the site to include demolition of existing garages/maisonettes and erection of 28 affordable dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping.  It was noted that the description of the development had been amended since the Committee report had been published to reduce the number of affordable dwellings from 30 to 28.

31.26        The Senior Planning Officer advised that the proposal sought demolition of five units, each with four/flats maisonettes in mixed tenure, together with the demolition of the single storey garages.  The brownfield site was served from an existing access leading onto Crown Drive and was in a predominantly residential area.  The proposed 28 dwellings would comprise 18 houses and 10 apartments, which would all be affordable, and 48 off-street parking spaces would be provided.  The scheme was supported by Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council and any outstanding drainage issues had been resolved.  The principle of development was acceptable and the proposal would provide much-needed affordable housing through the comprehensive redevelopment of an underused and unappealing site.  The proposal was considered to have an acceptable impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding areas and on residential amenity and it was therefore recommended that authority be delegated to the Development Manager to permit the application, subject to the omission of Condition 7, as set out in the Additional Representations Sheet, attached at Appendix 1; the receipt of no additional adverse representations during the consultation period for the revised plans, which was due to end today; the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the affordable housing in perpetuity; and any amended/additional conditions.

31.27        The Chair invited the applicant’s representative to address the Committee.  The applicant’s representative advised that the proposal was to replace the unsatisfactory maisonettes which required modernisation with 18 social rent and 10 shared ownership properties.  The scheme offered well-designed homes which would benefit from high thermal efficiency and would improve the visual and social aspects of the existing residential development.  The position and orientation of the units minimised overlooking to and from the adjacent properties and the position of the new dwellings was set in order to avoid new overlooking from within the site itself.  The method for creating suitable dwellings for modern living was to make larger than usual living areas and all dwellings would be above the minimum requirement of the Nationally Designed Space Standards   The addition of modern design would create an uplifting area to live in.  As would be expected, a number of surveys had been carried out to deal with matters of flooding, drainage, transport and traffic which had all met with the satisfaction of Officers.  The building design had been shaped through meetings with the local community who favoured a contemporary feel; several public consultations had been held with Rooftop, Hemmingway Design and The Space Studio which had helped shape the initial concepts.  The designs replicated those of the recently completed Bishop’s Drive (Pember Close) redevelopment.  These homes would be built to the same excellent standard that could be seen at the former garage sites at Jesson Road, Linworth Road, Bishop’s Close and Bishop’s Drive – homes which tenants thought were outstanding.  The proposed development would enhance the area by removing dilapidated and unsightly garages that were exposed to anti-social behaviour and build much needed affordable homes for local people with a modern twist.

31.28        The Chair indicated that the Officer recommendation was that authority be delegated to the Development Manager to permit the application, subject to the omission of Condition 7, as set out in the Additional Representations Sheet, attached at Appendix 1; the receipt of no additional adverse representations during the consultation period for the revised plans; the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the affordable housing in perpetuity; and any amended/additional conditions, and he sought a motion from the floor.  It was proposed and seconded that authority be delegated to the Development Manager to permit the application in accordance with the Officer recommendation.  A Member noted concerns had been raised in relation to overlooking and the removal of third party boundary trees which provided a level of privacy and she asked if it was possible to include a condition to address this.  In response, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that overlooking was one of the major issues pointed out by objectors, particularly in respect of Unit 1 in the north-west corner of the site adjoining Crown Drive.  In order to address that, he indicated that a condition could be added to remove permitted development rights so that no additional windows could be placed in that elevation.  The proposer of the motion thanked the applicant’s representative for what was, in his view, a considerable investment in this particular area of Bishop’s Cleeve.  He felt this was an excellent proposal - other parts of Bishop’s Cleeve had seen considerable improvement following redevelopment and he looked forward to the same on this particular site.  A Member echoed these comments and endorsed the inclusion of the additional condition to prevent overlooking.  He felt this would be a welcome change for residents of the existing properties which were very old and caused numerous issues - it would make a real difference to the quality of the lives of those living in them.  The Senior Planning Officer recommended a further additional condition in relation to the provision of electric vehicle charging points on the site and the proposer and seconder of the motion indicated they were both happy with the inclusion of the two additional conditions suggested.  Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED           That authority be DELEGATED to the Development Manager to PERMIT the application, subject to the omission of Condition 7, as set out in the Additional Representations Sheet, attached at Appendix 1; the inclusion of a condition to remove permitted development rights from Unit 1 so no additional windows could be placed in that elevation; the inclusion of a condition to secure provision of electric vehicle charging points on the site; the receipt of no additional adverse representations during the consultation period for the revised plans; the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the affordable housing in perpetuity; and any amended/additional conditions.