Agenda item

Approval of reserved matters in respect of the appearance, landscape, layout and scale, pursuant to planning permission reference (42/14/0069) for the erection of 64 dwellings, hard and soft landscaping, car parking including garages, internal access roads, footpaths and circulation areas, public open space and drainage with associated infrastructure and engineering works, together with additional details as required by conditions 7, 9, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23 at Phase H1C on land at Comeytrowe/Trull

At this point in the meeting a 30 minute extension was proposed by Cllr Coles and seconded by Cllr Habgood.

Approval of Reserved Matters in respect of the appearance, landscape, layout and scale, pursuant to planning permission reference (42/14/0069) for the erection of 64 dwellings, hard and sort landscaping, car parking including garages, internal access roads, footpaths and circulation areas, public open space and drainage with associated infrastructure and engineering works, together with additional details as required by Conditions 7,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,18,19,20,21, and 23 at Phase H1C on land at Comeytrowe/Trull

Comments from members of the public included;

·       The application should be deferred to allow the applicant to provide more Public Open Space and Fallow Land as much of what is being promoted as Public Open Space consists of water retaining attenuation basins;

·       Concerns that the Local Equipped Area for Plan (LEAP) south of the site was being proposed to be fallowed with public access denied;

·       The proposal was contrary to the Core Strategy Policy CP5, inclusive Communities;

·       Concerns with the impact of the development on properties on Jeffreys Way. Previous views of the Blackdown Hills were now being replaced with a huge construction site and the peace shattered due to heavy plant noise and the ground rumbling on a daily basis;

·       Concerns with the unsightly metal Heres style fencing running directly along the south boundary of the site;

·       Concerns with overlooking;

·       Concerns that a previous proposed buffer area and hedges to soften the impact of houses on the properties of Jeffreys Way had now gone and the development was up to the properties boundary;

·       Could the developers consider adding bungalows for the elderly in the development;

·       Concerns with the density of the development;

·       The Placemaking Specialist objects to the proposal due to poorly designed bland houses;

·       Concerns with the lack of a Phosphate Mitigation Strategy;

·       This application was for the second phase of 64 homes which included 33 affordable ‘tenure-blind’ homes. The application was full in accordance with the approved Outline Planning permission and the Design Guide for the site;

·       LiveWest and Vistry proposed to build approximately 52% of the development as affordable homes and significantly exceeds both the requirement of the S106 agreement and the Council’s affordable housing policy. This will reduce the number of people requiring accommodation;

·       There were no outstanding technical objections to the proposal;

·       This development reflects the Taunton’s Garden Town Vision;

·       The development has gone through numerous rounds of design revisions to reflect the concerns of local residents;

Comments from Members included;

·       The development was a dull, boring unimaginative scheme;

·       A Condition for frosted windows and the erection of a fence was needed as soon as possible;

·       Concerns with the lack of visitor parking spaces;

·       Concerns with the comments regarding the Fallow Land Management Plan;

·       Concerns with the impact of existing trees on Jeffreys Way;

·       Pleased with the affordable housing aspect;

·       Concerns that there were no bungalows proposed on site;

At this point in the meeting a 30 minute extension was proposed by Cllr Coles and seconded by Cllr Habgood.

Councillor Lloyd proposed and Councillor Hill seconded a motion for

Conditional approval to be APPROVED as per Officer Recommendation with Conditions 01 and 3 amended, Condition 5 rewritten, Condition 6 amended, new Condition 7 as per update sheet. Condition 01 was further amended during the presentation;

The Committee also asked for a Condition for fencing to be erected before the build process started along the boundary of Jeffries Way and a Condition for obscure glazed windows in the rear roof slopes of Plots 101/102 and 114/115 (2.5 storey units) as follows;

·       New Condition 08 - A scheme shall be submitted detailing the timing (as soon as possible) of the erection of the approved fence along the Jeffrey’s Way boundary, and thereafter the approved fence should be erected in full in accordance with the agreed scheme;

·       New Condition 09 – The roof lights in the rear roof slopes of Plots 101, 102, 114 and 115 serving the ensuites of those respective properties shall be fitted with obscure glazing prior to the first occupation of that respective dwelling;

The motion was carried.