Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the Planning Committee meeting. She introduced Members and Officers as well as referred to the public speakers who would be speaking on individual applications.

It was confirmed that all Members present could hear and see the proceedings and Members could also see the Chair and each other. The Chair explained that Members would use the functionality of the software to raise their hands to speak and each Member would be asked in turn for their vote at the appropriate time.

The Chair explained that should the remote conferencing connection be lost there would be an adjournment. She advised that the meeting would be recorded and live-streamed on You Tube.

There were no apologies for absence.

(a)  To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2020

(b)  To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2020

(a)  The minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2020 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the Chair.

(b)  The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2020 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the Chair.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

Councillor Posnett declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the Leicestershire County Council due to her role as a County Councillor. 

Minute PL62: 19/01302/FUL - Land West Of Main Street, Stathern

Councillor Steadman confirmed that she would be representing her ward on this application by making a representation to the Committee. She would therefore leave the meeting during debate and not vote on this item in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

Land West of Main Street, Stathern

(Councillor Steadman declared her intention to speak as Ward Councillor on this application and here left the Committee and moved into the public speaking gallery.)

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the application. He advised that one further objection had been received which referred to despite the amendments the plot 8 bungalow was still very close to the boundary of the Walnut Close properties, the development was considered to be too suburban and too dense containing 74 properties instead of the 65 referenced in the Local Plan, absence of maintenance for the rundle beck and that presentation to the Committee was premature as there were still matters requiring resolution.

He updated the Committee on consultations which remained the same as in the report with a further comment from the Highway Authority that impact on the wider road network would not be severe.

He conveyed Ward Councillor Chris Evans’ views to the Committee as follows:

·         Condition be added for solar cell insulation capability

·         Condition be added for capability for electric car parking points

·         He supported the Parish Council’s view on the footbridge given its contribution to connectivity

The Assistant Director referred to potential updates to the Section 106 Agreement relating to play equipment and the footbridge. He referred to a request for offsite play equipment and although the applicant had already included onsite play equipment, they would make a contribution for offsite play equipment instead if Members were in agreement and that the onsite equipment was not needed. The  footbridge link could also be included in the Section 106 should Members determine this was required. To be included in the Section 106 Agreement, Members needed to include these items in their decision.

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Paragraphs 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to  public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a 3 minute presentation:

·         Kenneth Bray, Stathern Parish Council

In response to a Member question which queried whether £10,000 could fund a substantial footbridge, Mr Bray responded that a quote had been received for that amount.

·         Guy Longley, Pegasus Group

·         Councillor Steadman, Ward Councillor

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Members were impressed by the positivity of the speakers and how far they had come since the application was last presented to the Committee in September. They had all worked together to bring a mutually beneficial application for the Committee to consider for approval

·         It was felt to be a great example of the Parish Council and Ward Councillor showing leadership and being a beacon example of what could be achieved through dialogue together and with the applicant. Additional benefits had come forward in the form of the footbridge and offsite play equipment which would of  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL62

Land off Field OS 0002, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray

The Planning Policy Manager addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the improvements and amendments to the site following design workshops and meetings between the developer and officers since the application had first been considered by the Committee in November 2019. She advised that tandem parking had been addressed where possible, visitor parking spaces and open spaces had been added as well as some connectivity to the Kirby Fields Park.

It was noted that the housing mix was top heavy with 4 bed homes as there was no agreement on the breakdown at the outline application stage. 25 affordable units were included in the housing mix also agreed at the outline stage, the detail of which was included in a condition which would not specify tenure split until the condition was discharged. Therefore the tenure mix had not yet been determined as the condition had not been discharged. It was expected that the breakdown would be in accordance with the Affordable Housing SPD but Members could  make their wishes known at the meeting and these may be taken into account.

The Planning Policy Manager was complimented on her presentation skills and sound advice to Members.

Due to the Highway Authority’s condition relating to drainage being considered ultra vires as it should have been agreed at the outline stage, there was concern as to the drainage arrangements on the site. The Planning Policy Manager responded that the lead flood authority had raised no concerns and the site levels would be raised where needed in accordance with the plans.

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Paragraphs 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to  public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a 3 minute presentation:

·         Robert Galij, Planning Director, Barratt David Wilson Homes

It was noted that although there was some open space as well as the green attenuation plot on the site, it was expected that residents would use the adjoining Kirby Fields Park as recreational space and there was no contribution for offsite recreational space.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         It was felt that the developer had met the minimum standard that was requested and there was no generosity in the development

·         There was concern as to whether all the roads were to be adopted and it was noted that some smaller roads were not

·         It was considered whether there could be a condition to stop those with a garage instead of a parking space converting the garage into other accommodation as this would have a knock on effect to street parking and it was understood that permitted development  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL63

To consider any other business that the Chair considers urgent

There was no urgent business.