Agenda item

To determine the application.

Kimberley Crow presented the report to members and drew attention to the update report that had been circulated.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Matthew Hall, the agent. Mr Hall made the point that the site already benefits from outline approval for four dwellings and this application is for a very similar proposal, four dwellings, three bedrooms, very similar location to the outline approval, a third garden area and adequate parking. He expressed the view that the dwellings match in with properties on Gibside Avenue, West Street and Fairway.

Mr Hall expressed the opinion that the officer’s report is excellent, and there are no technical objections to the application from Highways and Environmental Services, with a bin lorry being shown to go in and out of the site. He stated that he attended a Chatteris Town Council meeting on this application and spoke and also a resident, whose garden backs onto this site from West Street, spoke in favour of the application and consequently Chatteris Town Council support this application.

Members asked questions of Mr Hall as follows:

·       Councillor Mrs French stated that she was lobbied on this application and it was a lengthy objection and asked if the issues had been sorted with the objectors as she believes he was liaising with them? Mr Hall responded that they had not.

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

·       Councillor Murphy expressed the view that the proposal fills a gap, it is built up around the site, and it was a piece of land that was always going to be built on so he fully supports it.

·       Councillor Marks made the point that this is about land usage, and this makes the best use of land, which is derelict at this time and the proposal will provide good homes for families. He stated that he is happy to support it.

·       Councillor Purser agreed that it is a piece of derelict waste ground, which is an ideal place for new homes, it fills in a gap and tidies the land nicely. He stated that he will be supporting it.

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

(Councillor Benney declared that he was portfolio holder at the time this land was sold and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon.)

(Councillor Mrs French registered, in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that she had been lobbied on this application.)

(Councillor Murphy 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. He further declared that he knows the agent, but he is not pre-determined and will consider the application with an open mind)

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