Agenda item

Submission of details required by condition 11 (Surface water drainage) of outline planning permission S/2553/16/OL

By 6 votes to 3 , the Committee granted delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development to approve the surface water drainage condition subject to:

• The Director seeking confirmation from a suitably qualified source that the structural calculations to the concrete plug provided are acceptable and suitable

• The completion of a further infiltration test in the proposed infiltration basin to confirm, to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority (with the advice of the Lead Local Flood Authority), that the performance of the infiltration basin corresponds with the assumptions used to inform the design and assessment of the drainage scheme.

As agreed in Minute 1, the Chair varied the order of business to allow this item to be taken as the seventh item of the agenda.

The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development offered a summary of the application and detailed the new information that had been published since the application was previously deferred. Concerns were raised by some Members that there had not been enough time for the Committee to properly review the information, whilst others felt that the issue was pressing and needed swift resolution for the sake of residents and, with the detailed statement from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, they were well informed. Councillor Deborah Roberts, seconded by Councillor Heather Williams, proposed a vote on deferral. The Senior Planning Lawyer advised that if the motion was defeated it would not preclude the Committee from holding another vote on deferral after the debate.

By 6 votes to 4 (Councillors Henry Batchelor, Deborah Roberts, Heather Williams and Dr Richard Williams), with one abstention (Councillor Dr Martin Cahn), the Committee voted against deferral.

Councillor Heather Williams left the meeting

The Committee was addressed by James Fountaine who expressed the concerns of residents and offered details of the history of flooding in the area and the supposed impact of the site on this. Matthew Harmsworth spoke as the agent of the applicant and provided further details on the application. Jack Southon addressed the Committee as the retained flood risk consultant from the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and offered clarity about the assessment of the site and the independent review into the LLFA’s consultation. Councillor Kate Kell presented the views of Linton Parish Council and explained their concerns. Councillor John Batchelor addressed the Committee and stated that a workable solution for drainage management was required but felt that the scheme was not acceptable without further changes.

Councillor Heather Williams rejoined the meeting

Councillor Deborah Roberts, seconded by Councillor Dr Richard Williams, proposed a vote to defer the application. The Committee debated the consequences of deferral, and concerns that it would leave residents unprotected against further flooding were raised. The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development stated that there was not approved drainage scheme beyond the currently implemented temporary measures in the absence of the approval of the application; the difficulty of providing more information was highlighted and the independent review LLFA’s response, as statutory consultee, was referenced.

The Committee voted 5 for (Councillors Henry Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Jose Hales, Deborah Roberts and Dr Richard Williams) and 5 against deferral. After a brief adjournment to seek legal advice from the Senior Planning Lawyer, the Chair exercised his casting vote against the deferral following advice.

Councillor Deborah Roberts left the meeting

The Committee debated the scheme and raised a number of concerns about the site and its impact on flood risk in the area. The technical information provided was discussed and the Committee reflected on what had been seen on the visit to the site. Some Members felt that the scheme as it stood was inadequate and noted the concerns raised in representations received, both in the report and the meeting. The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development offered clarity on a number of points. The Committee agreed that, if they were minded to approve the application, that further infiltration testing of the infiltration basin would be required and that the structural calculations of the concrete plug should be verified as acceptable. The discharge of the condition was agreed to be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development if both requirements were met.

By 6 votes to 3 (Councillors Henry Batchelor, Anna Bradnam and Dr Richard Williams), the Committee granted delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development to approve the surface water drainage condition subject to:

• The Director seeking confirmation from a suitably qualified source that the structural calculations to the concrete plug provided are acceptable and suitable

• The completion of a further infiltration test in the proposed infiltration basin to confirm, to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority (with the advice of the Lead Local Flood Authority), that the performance of the infiltration basin corresponds with the assumptions used to inform the design and assessment of the drainage scheme.

Councillor Heather Williams did not vote as she was not present for the duration of the item and Councillor Deborah Roberts was not present at the time of the vote.