Agenda item

Spinney Campus, Brooksby Melton College, Melton Road, Brooksby

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery  addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the application. He  advised that since despatch of the agenda Hoby and Rotherby Parish Council had expressed their disappointment  that due to the recent changes in Government policy, the application did not now need to meet a sustainable housing requirement and this meant there would be no opportunity for this type of housing in the area.  

During discussion the following points were noted :

·         Since the Government had amended the obligations for affordable housing, the applicant had become a fortuitous beneficiary of the change in regulations

·         There was disappointment that the appeal had been granted against the Committee’s wishes and since then the most significant benefits of the application had been removed

·         There was cynicism expressed about the application due to the change in the policy on the requirement for sustainable housing and that the Inspector’s decision had been undermined

·         The King Street site was deteriorating and the opportunity for sustainable housing in the town centre had now been lost which raised questions as to what would happen to the site. It was understood the site could meet the need for student accommodation but there was no reference to this in the college’s application

·         The Ward Councillor’s views were not included in the report and it was understood that although the Ward Councillor had arranged to speak at the meeting, he had been delayed. It was mentioned that Members were aware that he had concerns regarding the removal of the benefits, particularly the affordable housing. Mr Worley advised that no comments had been received from the Ward Councillor but he had been in touch since the report was published

·         When the previous decision was made the Local Plan was part way through its development process and the planning balance applied at that time would have outweighed any adverse impact as it took into account the significant community benefits to be gained from the application

Councillor Higgins proposed that the application be deferred to enable the applicant to engage with the Ward Councillor and Parish Council on the potential for community benefit including the provision of sustainable housing. Councillor Cumbers seconded the motion.

The Ward Councillor, Councillor Browne, here entered the meeting.

The Legal Advisor explained that the proposer and seconder could change the proposal after hearing the Ward Councillor’s presentation should they wish to do so.

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 four minute presentation :

·         Councillor Browne, Ward Councillor

Following the Ward Councillor’s presentation, the proposer and seconder maintained their position to defer the application and on being put to the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED

That application 19/01371/VAC be DEFERRED to enable the applicant to engage with the Ward Councillor and Parish Council on the potential for community benefit including the provision of sustainable housing.

(10 in favour, 1 abstention).