Agenda item

Outline planning permission for the erection of up to 126 dwellings, formation of a new vehicular & pedestrian access onto Oakington Road and associated infrastructure and works (All matters reserved apart from access)

The case officer updated the report and Appendix 2.

Brian Smith (objector), Matt Hare (applicant’s agent), Councillor Frank Morris (Cottenham Parish Council) and Councillor Tim Wotherspoon (a local Member) addressed the meeting.

Mr. Smith regretted the potential development of up to 126 more dwellings in the Oakington Road / Rampton Road area of Cottenham. He referred to likely noise levels, and said the development would impact on the Alms houses along Rampton Road.

Matt Hare said that the scheme’s main benefits were the provision of affordable housing and its swift delivery.Any harm did not outweight these benefits. The development was sustainable.

Councillor Morris referred to the following:

·       The policies now available to South Cambridgeshire District Council by virtue of the Supreme Court judgment in Suffolk Coastal District Council v Hopkins Homes

·       The increase in traffic

·       Neighbour amenity

·       Adequacy of the proposed vehicular access

·       School and nursery capacity

·       Loss of agricultural land

·       Flood risk

·       Impact on the landscape

Councillor Wotherspoon spoke first for Councillor Lynda Harford in her capacity as a local Member. Councillor Harford was unable to support the Parish Council’s position, but did say that speed cushions should not be installed on the proposed roundabout at the junction of Oakington Road and Rampton Road.

Speaking for himself, Councillor Wotherspoon said that the village had thrived after previous expansions. School and health issues could be addressed.

In response to concerns from Members, Dr. Finney said that the Local Highways Authority had no objection, adding that a cluster of accesses was deemed to be safer than scattered ones.

Following a short debate

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

1.     A Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the items referred to in the Heads of Terms attached as Appendix 2 to the report from the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development; and

2.     The Conditions set out in the said report.