Decision details

All planning applications for Balsham considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the ‘Meetings’ tab above. For further details on all Balsham planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Balsham from the drop-down list of parishes.

Members visited the site on 31 October 2017.

The case officer reported that Councillor Richard Turner (a local Member) had objected in the context of appropriate advertising of the site.

Garth Hanlon (applicant’s agent) and Councillor Andrew Fraser (the other local Member) addressed the meeting. Mr. Hanlon said that the application was policy compliant, and appropriate in its location. There had been no objections from statutory consultees. Councillor Fraser highlighted the impact on local employment, and the increased pressure on the doctors surgery and car parking provision. He said that the development would have a negative impact on the character of the Balsham conservation area.

During the ensuing debate, Members acknowledged the desirability of striking a balance between housing and employment use, but noted the constraied nature of the site by the presence of trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders and the need to provide views through to the countryside. This made it difficult to envisage a future commercial use for the part of the site that was previously occupied by Plumbs Dairy.

The Committee approved the application subject to

1.     1.         The prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town             and Country Planning Act 1990 securing

·        £14,713.85 towards Balsham Sports Pavilion contribution

·        £16,309.68 towards outdoor gym equipment

·        £6,167.08 towards Balsham Church Institute

·        £73.50 per house and £150 per flat for household waste bins

·        40% affordable housing

·        £500 for a Section 106 monitoring fee

·        The onsite provision of a Local Area for Play

            As detailed in a supplementary agenda dated 27 October 2017; and

2.     2.      The Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director for          Planning and Economic Development.