Issue - decisions

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

1.       By eight votes to three, the Planning Committee resolved that, had it still the authority to determine the application then it would have been Minded to Approve the application subject to the Conditions and informative set out in the report dated 8 September 2021from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development and reproduced in identical terms for the meeting on 29 September 2021; and

2.       By seven votes to three with one abstention, the Planning Committee gave officers delegated authority to submit a response to the Planning Inspectorate in relation to the costs application dated 23 September 2021 made against the Local Highways Authority by Fews Lane Consortium for consideration on behalf of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

By eight votes to one, with two abstentions, the Committee approved the application subject to

1.             The revision of paragraph 3.2.4 of the Traffic Management Plan to state, during the construction stage, delivery vehicles shall not park on any street within the village of Longstanton;

2.             the addition of an Informative urging the establishment of a liaison mechanism between residents, the Site Manager and Longstanton Parish Council to monitor compliance with the Traffic Management Plan and to resolve any disputes; and

3.             The Conditions and Informatives set out in the 13 January 21 report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

By six votes to five, the Planning Committee deferred consideration of the application to allow further representations to be considered by officers.

(Councillors Bradnam, Heylings, Roberts, Heather Williams, Richard Williams, and Wright voted to defer. Councillors Henry Batchelor, Cahn, Fane, Hawkins and Rippeth voted against deferral.)

By nine votes to nil with two abstentions, the Planning Committee approvedthe application to discharge Conditions 4 and 5 attached to planning permission S/2937/16/FL as follows:

A. Condition 4 (Foul Water Drainage)

The following details are acceptable to the local planning authority and therefore approved:

·       Site Plan, Drawing Reference FLL-345-Site 01

·       Drainage Layout, Drawing Reference 19/0321/100 Rev P9

·       Below Ground Construction Details, Drawing Reference 19/0321/110 Rev P2

Condition 4 shall be fully discharged once the foul water drainage system has been installed and made operational in accordance with the approved details.

B. Condition 5 (Surface Water Drainage)

The following details are acceptable to the local planning authority and therefore approved:

·       Site Plan, Drawing Reference FLL-345-Site 01

·       Drainage Layout, Drawing Reference 19/0321/100 Rev P9

·       Ditch Plan and Section 1, Drawing Reference 19/0321/101 Rev P3

·       Below Ground Construction Details, Drawing Reference 19/0321/110 Rev P2

·       Document titled Below Ground Drainage Operation and Maintenance Strategy Report, prepared by Andrew Firebrace Partnership Limited

Condition 5 shall be fully discharged once the surface water drainage system has been installed and made operational in accordance with the approved details.

(Councillors Henry Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Fane, Hawkins, Heylings, Rippeth, Richard Williams and Wright voted to approve the application. Councillors Roberts and Heather Williams abstained from voting.)

Upon a proposal from Councillor Pippa Heylings,  seconded by Councillor Anna Bradnam, and by eight votes to three, the Committee agreed that the Traffic Management Plan be amended to state that, during the construction stage, delivery vehicles shall not park on any street within the village of Longstanton.

(Councillors Henry Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Hawkins, Heylings, Richard Williams, Wilson and Wright voted in favour. Councillors Fane, Roberts and Heather Williams voted against.)

Upon a proposal from Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, seconded by Councillor Anna Bradnam, the Committee voted unanimously to add an Informative to the planning consent urging the establishment of a liaison mechanism between residents, the Site Manager and Longstanton Parish Council to monitor compliance with the Traffic Management Plan and to resolve any disputes.

By ten votes to one, the Committee approved the Variation of Condition 7 (Traffic Management Plan) subject to

1.    The revision of paragraph 3.2.4 of the Traffic Management Plan to state, during the construction stage, delivery vehicles shall not park on any street within the village of Longstanton.

2.    Addition of an Informative urging the establishment of a liaison mechanism between residents, the Site Manager and Longstanton Parish Council to monitor compliance with the Traffic Management Plan and to resolve any disputes; and

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

(Councillors Heney Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Fane, Hawkins, Heylings, Heather Williams, Richard Williams, Wilson and Wright voted in favour. Councillor Roberts voted against.)

By nine votes to nil, the Planning Committee approved the application to discharge Conditions 4 and 5 attached to planning permission S/2937/16/FL as follows:

Condition 4 (Foul Water Drainage)

The following details are acceptable to the local planning authority and therefore approved:

·       Site Plan, Drawing Reference FLL-345-Site 01

·       Drainage Layout, Drawing Reference 19/0321/100 Rev P9

·       Below Ground Construction Details, Drawing Reference 19/0321/110 Rev P2

Condition 4 shall be fully discharged once the foul water drainage system has been installed and made operational in accordance with the approved details.

Condition 5 (Surface Water Drainage)

The following details are acceptable to the local planning authority and therefore approved:

·       Site Plan, Drawing Reference FLL-345-Site 01

·       Drainage Layout, Drawing Reference 19/0321/100 Rev P9

·       Ditch Plan and Section 1, Drawing Reference 19/0321/101 Rev P3

·       Below Ground Construction Details, Drawing Reference 19/0321/110 Rev P2

·       Document titled Below Ground Drainage Operation and Maintenance Strategy Report, prepared by Andrew Firebrace Partnership Limited

Condition 5 shall be fully discharged once the surface water drainage system has been installed and made operational in accordance with the approved details.

(Councillors Henry Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Fane, Hawkins, Heylings, Richard Williams, Wilson and Wright voted to discharge the Conditions. Councillor Heather Williams was not present and did not vote. Councillor Roberts was not present during part of the consideration of this application, and did not vote.)

The Committee unanimously deferred the application to allow time for a full public consultation exercise to be carried out in respect of the Drainage Review at Fews Lane, Longstanton conducted by Stantec (Project Ref: 49304/001 | Rev: AA | Date: August 2020).

(Councillors Bradnam and Daunton were not present and did not vote).

This item was deferred.

By affirmation, the Committee authorised officers to vary the Legal Agreement

under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to revise

triggers ensuring delivery of the re-prioritised infrastructure set out at

Appendix 2 to the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic

Development and that the proposed elements thus falling outside

the cost cap would need to be delivered through alternative funding. The

Committee also varied the Section 106 Agreement to reflect the approved

delivery strategy, specifically:

·       Revision of Part 8 Clause 1.1(a) to deliver the Western Sports Hub reverting from 2,000 dwellings across Phase 1 and Phase 2 to 3,300 dwellings across Phase 2. This would deliver this element in accordance with the approved Phase 2 Phasing Strategy.

·       Revision of Part 8 Clause 1.2 The trigger for the town park to 1,500 dwellings across Phase 2. The play equipment within the town park would be delivered and be available for use by residents at the existing trigger. It would also be necessary to ensure that any damage to the play equipment be kept under review during the construction process and appropriate maintenance be undertaken as appropriate. This is in accordance with the Healthy Living Youth and Play Strategy.

·       Payment of about £3.2 million (with indexation) being brought forward from 2,500 dwellings across Phases 1 and 2 to 450 occupations within Phase 2 so that this reflects the delivery and completion of the Education Campus.

By nine votes to one with one abstention, the Committee discharged Condition 14 of Outline planning permission S/2011/14/OL requiring further detail of the early phases of the development of the town centre to ensure that services and facilities could be delivered. The discharge would include text in the following terms

1.    That the submitted Town Centre Strategy provided a suitable basis for the early delivery of community buildings (known as the Civic Hub) and the first commercial building (the Market Hall) and in particular Stage A of the submitted Strategy in accordance with the requirements of Condition 14 of S/2011/14/OL.

2.    That indicative floorspace figures provided an initial basis for consideration of the capacity of the town centre but with appropriate flexibility in the delivery to allow for changes in technology and new uses as well as delivering significant employment provision. The town centre would be capable of accommodating the level of comparison retail floorspace under planning reference S/3187/18/FL in a sustainable town centre location. The proposals would also deliver other aspects including community uses, residential, public realm, leisure and other commercial floorspace through promoting flexibility in uses. The town centre strategy was consistent with the creation of the education campus.

3.    The town centre strategy provided the opportunity to deliver a range of uses and temporary facilities to create new markets and provide innovation and enterprise, particularly to the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise market.

4.    Discharge of the condition would  not grant Reserved Matters or detailed consent for any building but rather agreed a Strategy for early phases which would build on the approved outline planning permission, and should be read in conjunction with the Town Centre Strategy approved as part of outline planning permission reference S/2011/14/OL.

(Councillors John Batchelor, Bradnam, Faunton, Fane, HeylingsMilnes, Rippeth. Richard Williams and Wright voted to discharge the Condition. Councillor Heather Williams voted against discharge. Councillor Roberts abstained.)

Members visited the site on 11 February 2020.

Mark Latham (Urban Splash) and Councillor Sarah Cheung Johnson (a local Member) addressed the meeting.

The Committee noted that improved delivery times were likely because the nature of the buildings’ construction off site meant that that could take place at the same time as groundwork on site. The Committee also received an assurance that cladding used would be non-flammable. Members noted local concern about the impact on the residents of Rampton Drift of three-storey dwellings proposed for the edge of this development.

Further debate focussed on

·       The provision of bat boxes, and bird boxes designed to attract a wider variety of birdlife

·       The key importance of both age-restricted accommodation and the modular construction of the housing

·       The need for careful consideration to be given to building heights so as to protect as far as possible the amenity of residents in Rampton Drift

A proposal from Councillor Deborah Roberts, seconded by Councillor Heather Williams, to defer making a decision until the issue of building heights had been resolved was lost by six votes to three with one abstention.

Planning Committee

1.     By seven votes to three approved Part A of the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development - Reserved Matters to Phase 2A of Northstowe subject to conditions outlined in the report and an additional highways condition following receipt of further late comments;

(Councillors John Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Fane, Heylings, Milnes and Rippeth voted for approval. Councillors Roberts, Heather Williams and Wright voted to refuse.)

2.     By seven votes to three approved Part B of the report -  Discharge Conditions 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45, 48, 57 and 64 of outline planning permission S/2011/14/OL, subject to the implementation of the agreed details; and

(Councillors John Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Fane, Heylings, Milnes and Rippeth voted for approval. Councillors Roberts, Heather Williams and Wright voted to refuse.)

3.     Unanimously approved Part C of the report -  Temporary change of use of two dwellings to show homes.

Councillor Pippa Heylings having previously left the meeting, the Committee  unanimously approved the application by ten votes to nil, subject to

1.    the Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development;

2.    an additional Condition requiring there to be no deliveries between 7.30am and 9.30am and between 3.00pm and 6.00pm (or such other times as to avoid a conflict with school drop off and collection); and

3.    the final wording or amendment of Conditions and Informatives referred to in 1. And 2. above being agreed by officers in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning and Vice-Chairman for this item (Councillor BBrian Milnes) prior to the issue of a Decision Notice.

The Committee discharged Condition 9 (Design Code) attached to planning permission S/2011/14/OL (Northstowe Phase 2).

Further to the former Northstowe Joint Development Control Committee’s  resolution on 29 July 2015 to grant planning permission (Minute 6 refers), the Planning Committee:

1.               Approved the amendments to the Legal Agreement entered into by virtue of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990  in relation to affordable housing, and authorised officers on this basis to complete, with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), an amended Section 106 Agreement, securing the following:

a.     350 affordable rented homes (10% of the total number of dwellings in Phase 2) to be delivered at an accelerated rate such that the affordable rented homes make up 20% of each of the early housing parcels of Phase 2;

b.     1,400 starter homes (40% of the total number of dwellings in Phase 2), and;

c.      A review mechanism that would apply following the grant of Reserved Matters approvals for 700 starter homes, such review mechanism addressing any broadening of the definition of starter homes;

2.               delegated any further minor editing of the Section 106 Agreement to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development;

3.               Noted the approach to binding third party land within the Section 106 Agreement, and approved a new planning Condition in the following terms:

“No development shall commence on any part of the Site not bound by the Planning Agreement unless and until all estates and interests in such part of the Site that need to be bound to ensure satisfactory performance / enforcement of the obligations contained in the Planning Agreement  have been bound  to the satisfaction  (as confirmed in writing) of the Local Planning Authority.

Not to Occupy more than 1800 Dwellings across the Northstowe Phase 1 Site and the Site until all estates and interests in that part of the Site required for the provision of Sports Hub West and the land required for the primary access to the Second Primary School Land  that need to be bound to ensure satisfactory performance / enforcement of the obligations contained in the Planning Agreement  have been bound  to the satisfaction  (as confirmed in writing) of the Local Planning Authority”; and

4.               noted that the HCA intended to own and manage the burial ground, and asked Officers to discuss further with the applicant the trigger point for delivering the burial ground sooner than had been previously envisaged.

The Committee

1.         approved the application subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Head of         Development Management, amended as follows

a.         by adding to the condition requiring details of the acoustic fencing along the rear western boundary of No. 5 Station Road, a further requirement that it extend for 60 metres along the southern boundary of the site to ensure that the amenity of adjoining neighbours is protected; and

b.         by adding to the landscaping condition the need to provide landscaping details to protect the existing tree belt.

2.         instructed officers, in consultation with the Developers, local Member and other interested parties, to investigate the possibility of establishing a Local Liaison Group to monitor noise disturbance and other issues.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and Informative set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Committee gave officers delegated authority 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 financial contributions towards public open space, community facilities, waste receptacles, and monitoring and legal fees;

2.    The Conditions and Informatives referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director; and

3.    An additional Condition (as agreed with the applicant) requiring the two windows on the first floor south east elevation and serving a kitchen and bathroom to be either hi-level or obscure glazed in order to prevent overlooking.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application subject to the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations between the applicant and the Council’s Environmental Health Officers to minimise noise nuisance, and to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Committee refused the application for the reasons set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director and for the additional reason of it being considered to have an adverse impact on the amenity of the occupier of no. 36 High Street.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to the receipt of comments from Anglian Water updating their previous consultation response, the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement relating to Affordable Housing, education contributions, public open space and public art, and the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.