Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Bindloss and Councillor Douglas attended as his substitute.

Councillor Hewson was not present at the start of the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2021

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2021 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 held a standing personal interest in any matters relating to the Leicestershire County Council due to her role as a County Councillor.

Canal Lane, Hose

The Senior Planning Officer (AC) addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the application and summarised that the recommendation was for approval.

Members raised the following and officers responded :

·         The housing mix and high number of 3 bed plus homes and the low number of affordable homes.

Response: The housing mix was in line with the policy and Neighbourhood Plan. Should the balance be tilted with further applications on the site, the percentage of smaller sized homes would then change.

·         Concern at the Severn Trent Water condition not being required as detailed in the report.

Response: This was already included in the outline consent and to include it again would be a duplication.

·         The water supply and pressure to villages in the Vale was already poor yet Severn Trent Water had raised no concerns to this development. It was felt this was due to commercial benefit rather than assessing the water supply.

Response: This matter had been raised with Severn Trent Water and the company were partners in producing the local plan so were aware of the housing need. Discussions were ongoing with Severn Trent Water to address this concern at a strategic level as it is a recurring issue.

·         In terms of the s106 agreement, when building larger houses, did this increase the viability meaning communities could receive more from larger sized housing. 

Response: Contributions were related to needs and infrastructure that was agreed on the principle of development not on housing type. However it was noted that all parties had been satisfied to receive what they had requested on this development.

It was mentioned that the housing mix would also be addressed for future applications on the site.

There were no public speakers registered for this application.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         The Ward Councillor and Parish Council supported the proposal

·         The bungalows, architecture and design of the development was acceptable

·         The applicant should note that the next phase needed 3 bed housing and affordables not bungalows

·         It was mentioned that youth provision was needed for villages with significant new development for family homes such as this

·         It was requested that the Parish Council be involved in allocating affordable homes and it was noted that a cascade plan was already in place and would be applied which included consultation with the Parish and Ward Councillors

·         There was concern at the Severn Trent Water provision

·         It was mentioned that due to more people working from home, 4 bed homes would become more desirable to accommodate home office space

Councillor Higgins proposed that the application be approved. Councillor Posnett seconded the motion.

(Councillor Hewson entered the meeting at 18.19 and took no part in the debate nor the vote on this application.)

RESOLVED

That application 20/01135/REM be APPROVED subject to conditions  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL13

Spinney Campus - Brooksby Melton College, Melton Road, Brooksby

The Senior Planning Officer (RR) addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the application. He referred to a late representation that had been received from the Chief Executive of the SMB College Group outlining the benefits to the college and the community of approving the application which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. He updated the Committee on an error in a table in the report relating to home office rooms which were interpreted as additional bedrooms owing to their potential to be used as such. The updated table was as follows:

These percentages were based on the market housing only – the remaining 6 affordable housing representing the final 8.6% of the overall total of 70 dwellings on the site.

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He summarised that the recommendation was for approval.

Members raised the following and officers responded :

·         The housing mix and high number of 4 bed plus homes. However it was noted that the Parish Council was in support of the allocation.

Response: Policy C2 allows for deviation from the optimum mix taking into account, amongst several criteria, site characteristics and was considered acceptable in relation to the isolated site. 

·         Steps were shown at the front door to some of the homes and accessibility was a concern.

Response: The photographs were purely shown for materials used on other sites and were not representative of this site.

·         The volume and speed of traffic on the main road that leads to the entrance to the site.

Response: The Highway Authority was considering this and traffic lights was an option. However it is not one of the ‘reserved matters’ included in this application.

·         Members felt a 40mph speed limit would be more beneficial for safety reasons than imposing traffic lights in a rural setting on such a major road between Leicester and Melton.

Response: The Highway Authority was looking into the matter and this was not part of the application at this meeting.

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:

·         Councillor Stuart Robinson, Hoby with Rotherby Parish Council

Councillor Robinson responded to Member queries that the Parish Council considered that housing needs were met for this site and its location and considered that the Parish Council had been fully involved in finalising the housing mix for the site. He added that the area would become its own hamlet and add to the vibrancy of the wider local community. He also felt that Severn Trent Water had a responsibility to provide water for the site and would like to work with partners in reducing the speed  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL14

To consider any other business that the Chair considers urgent

There was no urgent business.