Issue - meetings

Issue - meetings

Planning Application No. CB/

Meeting: 05/12/2018 - DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (Item 105)

105 Planning Application No. CB/18/02373/OUT (Stotfold & Langford) pdf icon PDF 483 KB

 

Address:       Loft Farm and west of Church Street, Langford, Biggleswade, SG18 9QA

 

Outline planning application for up to 95 dwellings and associated public open space, with all matters reserved except for access.

 

Applicant:     Rosconn Strategic Land

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/18/02373/OUT for up to 95 dwellings and associated public open space, with all matters reserved except for access at Loft Farm and west of Church Street, Langford, Biggleswade, SG18 9QA.

 

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to additional/amended conditions/reasons as set out in the Late Sheet.  The planning officer advised that a delivery schedule had also been sought as part of the required S106 Agreement.

 

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from Langford Parish Councillor Gillian Clarke, Ms Tania Barr, an objector, and a joint representation from Mr Daniel Hatcher, the applicant and Mr Adam Davies, the applicant’s agent.  Parish Councillor Clarke and Mr Davies responded to a Members’ requests for clarification.

 

A ward Member made the following comments:

 

·         He recognised the national need for housing but there had been no mention of the need to supplement the Council’s own five year land supply.

·         The site had not been proposed to go forward under the emerging Local Plan, two other sites being felt more suitable despite their own access issues.

·         The agreed S106 contribution towards education provision was only at the expected level and was not beyond the norm.

·         The agreed contribution towards the NHS was to provide additional capacity in the local surgery and was no guarantee of an overall increase in the number of GPs for the practice.

·         There were sustainability issues in the village.  It was felt too dangerous for children to cycle to the Henlow Academy so they walked or were driven there.

·         The content of the proposed construction management plan was loose and required development.  He queried what the consequences were if the plan was not adhered to.

·         The development was outside the village settlement envelope.

·         Biggleswade was the nearest major town and at peak travel time there would be a significant number of persons from the proposed development driving into that town and finding nowhere to park given the issues that already existed there.

·         There were outstanding queries regarding the width of the proposed access route through Tithe Farm Close and an alternative should be found from Church Street though this would incur a cost for the applicant.

·         If the Committee was minded to approve the application he requested that the existing zebra crossing be upgraded to a Puffin signalled crossing before building work commenced because of the related increase in traffic and the use of the crossing by children going to/from school.

·         He asked that the Committee refuse the application subject to the provision of a better access.

 

The planning officer responded to the points raised as follows:

 

·         With regard to police concerns regarding the security of the development site the application was in Outline form and there was no detailed layout available.  Two access points were proposed, one vehicular and one pedestrian, which the officer considered acceptable.

·         The flood zone was in the main western part of the site, representing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105