Agenda item

The Committee had regard to its inspection of the site (as agreed in accordance with the Site Inspection: Policy and Procedure (minute P19/04 refers)) during its deliberations.

David Rowen presented the report and update to members.

Members received a presentation in support of the application, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure, from Gareth Edwards, the Applicants Agent.

Mr Edwards explained that the application before members follows another application being approved for the adjacent site, with the proposed site being behind a high hedge, is in the extended garden of Dove Cottage and become overgrown.   He expressed the view that there have been a number of developments in Gull Road over recent years mostly on the other side of the road and some of them have been for 8 or 9 dwellings.

Mr Edwards stated that the proposal has the support of the majority of standard consultees, which includes the Parish Council and the Environment Agency and if approved contact will be made with the North Level Internal Drainage Board to address their concerns.  He expressed the opinion that additional housing in Guyhirn would bring additional children to the village school and by having dwellings on both sides of the road would lead to improved highway safety, hopefully reducing the speed in the village from 40mph to 30mph. 

Mr Edwards stated that the proposed dwellings will be raised to be consistent with the road level of Gull Road, however, the gardens will be at a lower level, with five of the dwellings being in flood zone 1 and the other 2 in flood zone 3. He made the point that there is a proposed footpath linking to the access and the village of Guyhirn is a sustainable location serviced by bus links.

Mr Edwards noted the requirement of the Parish Council requesting a contribution for village amenities and stated that as this is an outline application he would be happy to accept this as a condition of the Section 106 Agreement.

Members asked Gareth Edwards the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs Bligh, referred to the suggestion of reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph within the village, expressing the view that the Police will not approve a speed reduction as there are no reduction measures in place and a Section 106 could assist with the funding of chicaning along the road.  Mr Edwards confirmed he would be prepared to attend the Parish Council to discuss this further.

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

·         Councillor Connor mentioned that there had been no sequential test carried out, there is only one dwelling less than the previous application and questioned what else was different?  David Rowen stated that Councillor Connor was correct and the only difference was that there was one house less than in the previous submission.

·         Councillor Mrs Bligh expressed the opinion that the proposal is in a perfect location, brings growth to the village, it has pavements, is on the X1 bus link and any improvements with regard to the reduction of speed in the village would be welcomed.

·         Councillor Mrs Hay confirmed that a sequential test has not been carried out and, in her view, without a sequential test the Officers recommendation must be respected.  David Rowen stated that the flood risk assessment was submitted with the application and without a sequential test the application is not policy compliant.

·         Councillor Murphy stated that this application has been refused once, there have been no changes in this new submission, it is contrary to Policies LP3, LP12 and LP16, part of the site is located in flood zone 3, and the proposal does not meet the requirements of Section 14 of the NPPF and Policy LP14 of the Fenland Local Plan.

·         Councillor Sutton stated that he has no objection to any development on both sides of Gull Road as it would have huge benefits to the village and although the application may not be supported today when the Local Plan is reviewed the classification of Guyhirn should be considered.

·         Councillor Mrs Laws stated that she agrees with Councillor Murphy and added that she is very mindful of flood zone 3, with the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Boards existing for a reason. 

Proposed by Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hay and decided that the application be REFUSED as per Officer’s recommendation.