Agenda item

To determine the application.

Gavin Taylor presented the report.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Andrew Hodgson, the agent. Mr Hodgson stated that the application represents the final piece of the southeast March allocation and is for 50 units for Canon Kirk. He explained that in an ideal world he would have liked to include this element in the application which came in with Barratts David Wilson site, however, that was not possible as it was in the ownership of Canon Kirk.

Mr Hodgson explained that he is the agent for Barratts David Wilson and Canon Kirk and both companies are in full dialogue with each other in order to bring forward a comprehensive scheme. He stated that in terms of the site itself, it is for up to 50 units and is in outline form in order that when the reserved matters come forward for the Barratts David Wilson scheme it makes it very flexible for the application to be designed so that it fits in.

Mr Hodgson explained that there will be some sharing of infrastructure and drainage and the Barratts scheme is fairly well advanced in terms of the Section 106 which is due to be finalised and the reserved matters is already underway for that and the land adjoining and around will be coming forwards fairly imminently. He made the point that there does not appear to be any reasons for refusal from a statutory consultee point of view and he explained that the site has been designed carefully to ensure that it fits with the surrounding development.

Members asked Mr Hodgson the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs French asked for details concerning the width at Wimblington Road and she added that there was a planning application for the access at Lambs Hill Drove which was withdrawn recently. Mr Hodgson explained that it does form part of the proposal before the committee, and that the two accesses mirror exactly the approved applications which were submitted by Barratts David Wilson. He added that they replicate the accesses which have been approved for the 425 units and he referred to the plan and made the point that they match up identically to the red line of the wider site. Mr Hodgson made the point that he cannot recall the measurement, however, it is the same arrangement of that which is already approved.

·         Councillor Mrs French referred to the reserved matters application, and she asked when that will be ready for submission. Mr Hodgson stated that design is being worked on at the current time and the Section 106 has to be completed which is likely to be early on in the new year.

·         Councillor Marks referred to the drainage and the SUDs, and asked that as it appears that the developers are working together will it mean that the layout will be changed. Mr Hodgson explained that all of the site was designed at the same time and the application before the committee actually improves things as it allows for more sufficient drainage to be implemented across that area and is a more efficient SUDs arrangement.

·         Councillor Connor made the point that it is good to see developers working together and the same drainage system is going to be used along with the same entrances and exits. He added that he will be pleased to see when it all comes to fruition.

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

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that she feels that it is a good application, and she is pleased to hear that all the developers are working together. She added that she had a meeting with Anglian Water, and she is satisfied that the sewerage system there will cope and there is enough capacity.

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

(Councillor Mrs French declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that she is a member of March Town Council, but takes no part in planning)