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 Steven Flowers, the agent. Mr Flowers stated that the proposal is going to include a local connection criterion and will be 100% for local people within the parish. He explained that he has responded to various concerns over the lifetime of the application with regards to redesigns, such as moving the bungalows to the front of the site in order to help with the streetscene and overlooking.

Mr Flowers stated that he has received some recent data from Fenland District Council with regards to housing need and the figures show that there are 64 households in housing need within Wimblington, with 491 showing Wimblington as a preference, and within the wider district there is almost 1800 in need of housing. He explained that there are opportunities for the 100% affordable scheme with a local connection in place, these do not arise very often in this area and he would be looking to secure the Section 106 agreement to reflect the local connection and the affordable housing supply on the site.

Members asked Mr Flowers the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that she welcomes the 100% affordable housing provision, however, she is unsure whether a Section 106 Agreement is necessary when there is 100% of affordable housing being delivered but if something else is being offered then she is more than happy.

·         Councillor Connor congratulated Mr Flowers and expressed the view that the application is one of the best applications that he has seen for a long time. He added his congratulations for the work that he undertaken in conjunction with the Parish Council and he asked whether Mr Flowers has any indication as to when works would commence if the application is approved by the committee? Mr Flowers explained that members will have noted that there are a couple of complications which have arisen with regards to ecology and the fact that there is a population of lizards on the site that means a process of trapping and relocating to a receptor site which is likely to take place in April. He added that there is also an archaeology condition to satisfy which will follow the ecology issue and the likelihood of development commencing is by the late Summer by which time the conditions will be satisfied.

·         Councillor Connor stated that he is delighted that all of the affordable homes are going to be in Wimblington Parish, and he thanked Mr Flowers for bringing the application forward. 

·         Councillor Marks stated that the Isle of Ely Way is in the vicinity along with a public footpath and he asked Mr Flowers whether there are any plans to introduce a stile or a gate as he has concerns with regards to young children being able to access the A141. Mr Flowers stated that he welcomes the question but he is unsure what the detail is with regards to that point. He added that the footpath is to be retained and left as it currently is, but he would need to look into the detail further with regards to the boundary treatment but would be happy to accept a condition.

Members asked officers the following questions:

·         Councillor Marks asked whether the site is being classed as a brownfield or greenfield site? David Rowen explained that the parked cars which can be seen on the presentation screen are not located within the application site and the site actually commences where the block paving ends. He expressed the opinion the site is a greenfield site and as the photos in the officer’s report demonstrate that the site is overgrown with no development and is an undeveloped green space.

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

·         Councillor Benney stated that the application in his view is a good application and is much needed.

·         Councillor Purser stated that affordable housing is very much needed, and the proposal will clean up that parcel of land very nicely. He added that the visibility when leaving the site is also very good and he will support the application.

·         David Rowen stated that there was not a condition included with the proposal with regards to a stile, however, he referred to the presentation screen and highlighted a photograph which shows a standard public rights of way gate which is heavy, and spring loaded. He added that he does not know whether that gives Councillor Marks some assurance that the gate is there which may prevent children running out onto the A141.

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that it is a public right of way which the Country Council control and she made the point that they could be asked to ensure that it is gated, or a stile is included.

·         Councillor Connor stated that he will leave that aspect for officers to investigate.

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