Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Rowen presented the report the members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure, from Matthew Hall, the agent. Mr Hall stated that the principle of residential development of the site is acceptable and forms part of the officer’s report at 10.4, with the proposal being a small scale development for four bungalows and is located in Flood Zone 1. He made the point that Natural England as well as the Ecologists at the District and County Council have no objection to the proposal.

Mr Hall explained that there were three reasons for refusal initially and he was surprised to see two of the reasons cited for refusal as he was not aware of them and his Ecologist wrote to David Rowen who acted immediately and consulted with ecology, and he is pleased to say that those two reasons for refusal have now been removed. He explained that he has worked with the Highways Authority and has purchased a boundary map with regards to the enlarged access which proved that the enlarged access can be carried out along with the visibility splays in each direction and the Highways Authority do not object to the application.

Mr Hall made the point that a turning head has been shown in the plans for the application which, in his view, allows a refuse freighter to enter and exit the site and all the properties have garages and adequate parking which can easily be achieved on the site. He added that section of Westfield Road is straight and there are no objections from Highways, originally Manea Parish Council objected to the proposal on highways grounds, but he has worked with Highways who are content with the proposal along with the Parish Council who no longer have any objection with the enlarged access.

Mr Hall made the point that the proposal is for four bungalows and is a small-scale development and there will be no overlooking, with bungalows being committed as part of this application and, in his opinion, they will have adequate garden area and will have a plot area which is greater than a third and adequate parking. He referred to the presentation screen and the map displayed, and highlighted the site which was approved earlier consisting of 23 dwellings and runs all the way along the western side of the site which is shown in orange, with those dwellings still be built, however, he is aware that the developer is keen to commence construction, and those dwellings will be between 20 and 24 metres away from the bungalows in this application.

Mr Hall stated that the existing property to the southeast is located about 40 metres away from the proposed nearest bungalow and there are a number of trees to the western side of the site which are all to be retained. He added that there have been no objections from any of the consultees on the the proposal, including the Parish Council, Highways, Tree Officer, Environmental Health, Archaeology, Ecology and Anglian Water.

Mr Hall explained that members will be aware of the adjacent site which has been approved and other larger developments on this site which, in his opinion, sets the character of the area. He reiterated that the proposal is for a small scale four dwelling development for bungalows.

Members asked Mr Hall the following questions:

·         Councillor Marks asked whether the surface water is going to go straight into the Darcy Lode?  Mr Hall explained that an attenuation pond has been included which will hold the surface water and then at a controlled rate of 2 litres per second it will go into the Darcy Lode which is all in the ownership of the site. Councillor Marks asked whether the water would go into the Anglian Water system at all, and Mr Hall confirmed that it will not go into their water system.

·         Councillor Marks whether the applicant is the owner of the site at the present time? Mr Hall confirmed that is the case.

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

·         Councillor Marks stated that this site is located within his ward and, in his opinion, the site next door was a far better application, which included more space between the properties. He made the point that he does believe that there will be overlooking into the bungalows and on the application it does only state dwellings and does not confirm them to be bungalows. Councillor Marks expressed the view that he does think that the application is for too many dwellings in a very narrow corridor, and he does not like the application and has concerns over the access to the site. He added that he will not be supporting the proposal.

·         Councillor Mrs French and Councillor Purser both agreed with the points made by Councillor Marks.

Proposed by Councillor Marks, seconded by Councillor Purser and agreed that the application be REFUSED as per the officer’s recommendation.

(Councillor Benney declared that the agent has undertaken work for Chatteris Town Council and himself personally, but he is not pre- determined and will consider the application with an open mind.)

(Councillor Imafidon declared that the agent has undertaken work for him personally, but he is not pre-determined and will consider the application with an open mind)

(Councillor Marks declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he is a member of Manea Parish Council but takes no part in Planning.)