Agenda item

Land West of Bowling Green, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray

Cllr Chandler returned to the meeting at 6.35pm

 

19/00217/FUL

 

Applicant:     Countryside Properties (UK) Limited - Olivia Hoare

Location:      Land West of Bowling Green, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray

Proposal:     14 residential dwellings comprising 10 x 2 bed units and 4 x 3 bed units

 

(a)  The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services presented the report.

 

(b)  Chris May, the agent, was invited to speak and stated that:

·         No technical objections

·         Social benefit outweighs concerns of Developer Contributions

·         Affordable mix of houses

·         Meets needs for affordable housing

·         £50,000 contribution from developer

·         Local people will occupy homes

·         Incorrect to assume increase in services is needed

·         Sustainable location

·         Travel contribution not necessary

·         Site will be left undeveloped if not accepted

 

A Cllr asked what green aspect it will take and if there are plans for grounds, solar tiles, and materials.

 

Mr May stated that the materials will be in keeping with the site, designed to a high specification and to Homes England requirements.

 

A Cllr stated there will be over 100 houses in the area and asked what play facilities will be available, and the size of the leap.

 

Mr May advised that there is a public open space to the north of the site and if a leap is required this can be secured by S106.

 

A Cllr if the planning department are content to recommend to permit in the light of LCC response.

 

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services confirmed they are because the LCC response was expected. There is a choice between delivering affordable housing and forfeiting developer contributions, or the need to follow Policy IN3.

 

A Cllr stated there are 111 properties and 53 of those will be affordable housing. However the previous application was for shared ownership or affordable rent, and there has been a huge change. The NPPF paragraph 64 says at least 10% affordable home ownership and the figures have to be contended. Did not think this proposal is policy compliant. Of the 53 affordable homes not one is affordable home ownership in terms of a starter home or a discount market home in perpetuity to the residents. Cannot support this type of application, however might be able to support subject to this being conditioned and negotiated.

 

A Cllr stated that if £187,000 from the County Council is divided by 14 it is £16,000 a house. Extra services are not needed as these are for local people. Suggested the application needs deferring to go into it in more detail.

 

A Cllr was concerned that it is too expensive and people cannot get on the housing ladder. Houses need to be affordable all the time and therefore must consider being green.

 

A Cllr stated that local people should be prioritised.

 

A Cllr stated that the agent said the developer would consider adding equipment to the play area but could we possibly ask for an amount of money towards a possibility of something in the south of the town.

 

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services stated that changing the tenureship as a condition of approval is beyond the scope of a condition and to pursue this the application would need to be deferred for further negotiations. Prioritising local people is built into the application as the people will be from the Council’s waiting list and the 106 would reinforce this. In terms of green homes, these will be built to the regulations and our Policy says that extra green and efficiency measures would be welcomed. The leap will be included in the site, not be deflected elsewhere.

 

Cllr Higgins proposed to defer the application because the tenureship should reflect other people’s needs that need accommodating as well as that provided for by than affordable rent or shared ownership, such as starter homes or in perpetuity discount market housing. If an offsite contribution for play equipment is preferred then this could be negotiated.

 

Cllr Chandler seconded the proposal to defer.

 

A Cllr stated that affordable homes are in demand and much needed. The benefits outweigh the harm. The location is sustainable and the area could remain undeveloped.

 

A vote was taken. 8 Members voted in favour of deferral. 1 Member voted against. 2 Members abstained.

 

 

Determination: DEFER:

(i)   to seek a revised housing mix and examine whether this would have  a benefit in closing the shortfall below the County Council’s s106 requests and the sums offered and;

 

(ii)  Seek a financial contribution  in lieu of on site provision for play equipment