Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Rowen presented the report to members.

Members asked questions of officers as follows:

·       Councillor Mrs French asked if there is public open space or play equipment on the site as she is thinking about Pride of Place funding which is coming on board. She referred to Councillor Connor mentioning on a previous application about 491 people being on the waiting list across Fenland, but she believes this to be Chatteris only as there used to be 3,000 for the whole of Fenland and it does say at 1.2 there are 491 registered within the Council in Chatteris. Councillor Connor stated the information provided to him by Dan Horn stated that the numbers fluctuate daily as it is a live database, at the time of writing the report there are 491 households registered with the Council looking for affordable rent with Chatteris as their preference.

·       Councillor Imafidon referred to the affordable housing and questioned affordable to whom? Matthew Leigh responded that this is defined in the NPPF. Councillor Imafidon asked if these homes could be allocated to Fenland residents only. Matthew Leigh responded that they will be let through the allocations policy, so it is normally through a connection. Councillor Connor added that the allocations will be made to the properties through the Council’s approved Housing Lettings Policy.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·       Councillor Benney expressed his disappointment that the site is not going to be for market housing but recognised there is a need for affordable housing. He stated that his only concern is that priority should be given to local people. David Rowen stated that the nomination rights are set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report so the Council would be receiving nominations rights to all but five of the dwellings.

·       Councillor Mrs French stated her main question was on play equipment and there will be a Pride in Place report going to Cabinet in March, with each town being given a set amount of money for play areas and she will speak to Phil Hughes on this as these houses keep being built, with only contributions given. Matthew Leigh stated that paragraph 8.11 states that the open space contribution was secured for off-site improvement or provision of facilities in the area of Chatteris as the site is too small to require anything on site and there is very limited open space in the development, with the reserved matters plan showing there is no play equipment being provided on site, which is why the £38,000 is still seen as necessary to off set the harm from the development.

·       Councillor Connor stated that he would have liked to have seen some play equipment on the site itself, there are 50 affordable homes on the site so there is going to be children, and he would press to get equipment on site.

·       Councillor Mrs French expressed the view that Pride in Place funding has probably been missed but there is the Inspire! project as well so it does need to be looked at as she does not know Chatteris well so is not aware where the nearest play area is. Councillor Benney responded that the nearest main play area is probably Huntingdon Road.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs French, seconded by Councillor Imafidon and agreed that the application be GRANTED as per the officer’s recommendation.

(The Chairman agreed to this item being considered as a matter of urgency to avoid undue delay)

(Councillor Benney registered, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he is a member of Chatteris Town Council but takes no part in planning)

(Councillor Marks registered, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he attends meetings of Chatteris Town Council but takes no part in planning)