Agenda item

To determine the application.

Alan Davies presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Shanna Penney, the agent. Ms Penney stated that she is pleased to see that the officer recommendation is one of approval and advised the committee that a similar application was considered by the committee in December 2024. She explained that at that time the committee decided that the principle of development was acceptable with regards to the location of the site and the number of proposed dwellings, however, concerns were raised with regards to the sequential test.

Ms Penney added that those concerns have been considered, and a more robust sequential test has been provided and both officers and the agent have now concluded that there are no other sequentially preferable sites available within Gorefield and, therefore, the proposal meets the sequential test. She explained that after passing the sequential test, the exception test needs to be applied and paragraphs 9.24 to 9.30 in the officer’s report demonstrate and confirm that the exception test is met and all remaining matters relating to flood risk have been addressed.

Ms Penney added that she is aware that the Parish Council have objected to the proposal on highway safety and flood risk grounds, however, at 9.35 of the officer’s report it states that the Highways Authority have raised no objections. She made the point that the concerns regarding flood risk have been overcome and, therefore, there are no remaining issues with the application.

Ms Penney added that as the committee’s only concern with regards to the sequential test has been overcome and the fact that it has been demonstrated that the proposal now meets the requirements of the sequential test she would ask the committee to approve the proposal in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Members asked the Ms Penney the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs French asked whether any contact has been made with the North Level Internal Drainage Board with regards to the application? Ms Penney stated that she has not consulted them but believes that they are automatically consulted as part of the consultation process. Councillor Mrs French stated that none of the Internal Drainage Boards are statutory consultees, but they do have dykes around the application area, and she advised Ms Penney that should the application be approved then they should be contacted sooner rather than later. Ms Penney stated that officers have confirmed that there is a comment on the officer’s file from the drainage board.

Members asked officers the following questions:

·         Councillor Marks asked for confirmation as to what response the Internal Drainage Board provided to officers? Alan Davies explained that response was received on 24 June which stated that they had no objection subject to a pre-commencement condition requiring submission of surface water systems and outfalls. He added that officers have considered the response, and a condition will be added to the decision notice should planning permission be granted.

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

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that she is pleased that the agent has considered the suggestions made by the committee following the previous lengthy debate which took place in December.

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