Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillors Brian Burling, Pippa Corney, Sebastian Kindersley and Des O’Brien sent Apologies. Councillors Nick Wright, Roger Hall, Philippa Hart and Charles Nightingale were present as their respective substitutes.

1.         Disclosable pecuniary interests (“DPI”)

A  DPI is where a committee member or his/her spouse or partner has any kind of beneficial interest in the land under consideration at the meeting.

 2.        Non-disclosable pecuniary interests

These are interests that are pecuniary involving a  personal financial benefit or detriment but do not come within the definition of a DPI.  An example would be where a member of their family/close friend (who is not their spouse or partner) has such an interest.

3.         Non-pecuniary interests

Where the interest is not one which involves any personal financial benefit or detriment to the Councillor but arises out of a close connection with someone or some  body /association.  An example would be membership of a sports committee/ membership of another council which is involved in the matter under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2016 will be presented to the meeting on 7 December 2016.

To authorise the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the Special meeting held on 16 November 2016.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the Special meeting held on 16 November 2016.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application subject to

1.     The prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the matters referred to in the Heads of Terms appended to the report from the  Head of Development Management;

2.     the Conditions and Informatives set out in the said report.

The Committee considered Applications S/2458/16/RM and S/2461/16/FL together. The reports considered were those published with the agenda for the meeting on 16 November, which was deferred. Members also had before them a supplementary agenda dated 14 November 2016, containing a replacement Heads of Terms schedule and a corrected site plan in respect of the Full application, and a further supplementary agenda dated 22 November 2016, containing and update report in respect of both applications. Cpoies of statements from Councillors Peter Johnson and Ingrid Tregoing (the local Members) were circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Johnson was unable to attend the meeting.

The Case Officer summarised the current situation, and updated Members as appropriate. Application S/2458/16/RM had been listed for Appeal on 29 November 2016. The Applicants had indicated that they would consider withdrawing that Appeal, subject to the outcome of the current applications. The Case Officer read out the statement submitted by Councillor Peter Johnson. This highlighted a private legal issue that might impact on proposals for an emergency entrance to the site from the adjacent Bovis development.

Jane Williams (objector), Councillor Brian Williams (Waterbeach Parish Council) and Councillor Ingrid Tregoing (a local Member) addressed the meeting.

Jane Williams made her comments in the context of the village of Waterbeach, and the level of services and facilities available there. She queried the transparency of the Committee reaching a decision when the applicant had indicated that, were that decision to be in its favour, it would considering withdrawing the imminent Appeal. She voiced concern about the pressure on local facilities, such as the Doctors surgery, sewerage system and public transport. Mrs. Williams also referred to the potential for increased traffic congestion along village streets. The houses, including the so-called Affordable Homes, were unlikely to be affordable for local people. Jane Williams urged the Committee to consider not only the economic aspect of sustainability, but also the social and environmental elements. Committee members prompted further discussion about capacity at both the Doctors surgery and Cottenham Village College, especially in the context of the cumulative impact of development in Waterbeach.

Councillor Brian Williams encourage the Committee toconsider the two separate planning applications as if they were a single application. He said that, although Waterbeach was currently classed as a Minor Rural Centre, it hardly met the necessary criteria by virtue of the lack of realistic public transport provision, and the pressure on local facilities and services. Councillor Williams concluded that the proposal represented over-development, and urged the Committee to help deliver South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Vision of continuing to be the best place to live, work and study in the country, demonstrating impressive and sustainable economic growth, and making sure that its residents have a superb quality of life in an exceptionally beautiful, rural and green environment. Committee members prompted further discussion about drainage issues.

Councillor Ingrid Tregoing informed the Committee that the primary school had four school  places available. Councillor Tregoing sought clarification as to whether Waterbeach, as a Minor Rural Centre,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Head of Development Management.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Head of Development Management.