Issue - meetings

Residential development of up to 950 dwellings, provision of a mixed-use local centre (including Class E, F and C3 with potential for retirement homes) provision of land to accommodate a new primary school, replacement sports pitches with changing facilities; associated green infrastructure including landscaping, public open space, allotments, sustainable urban drainage systems, biodiversity enhancements; new accesses from Bull Lane; new access and road/cycleway/footpath link to New Court Road

Residential development of up to 950 dwellings, provision of a mixed-use local centre (including Class E, F and C3 with potential for retirement homes) provision of land to accommodate a new primary school, replacement sports pitches with changing facilities; associated green infrastructure including landscaping, public open space, allotments, sustainable urban drainage systems, biodiversity enhancements; new accesses from Bull Lane; new access and road/cycleway/footpath link to New Court Road

There was a need for the Borough Council to consider its position in response to the applicant’s submission of a non-determination appeal under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990: Appeal under Section 78 and to set out what Members consideration of the application would have been had they had an opportunity to determine the submission.

Careful consideration was given to the potential impacts of the proposed development on local infrastructure and Members expressed significant concern in respect of the impact on the surrounding road network, local GP and school provision and community facilities.    Members also had due regard to the comments of the public speakers.

RESOLVED: That

(1)             had the Borough Council been able to determine the application, outline planning permission would have been REFUSED for the following reason:

·          in the absence of information to demonstrate to the contrary, insufficient detail had been submitted to determine whether the application would have an unacceptable impact on the safety, reliability and/or operational efficiency on the strategic road network contrary to Policy SQ8 of the MDE DPD and paragraphs 110D, 111, 113 of the NPPF;

(2)             delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Chair of Area 3 Planning Committee, to keep the ground for refusal under review during the appeal process and to withdraw the ground if National Highways removed their objection to the application.

[Speakers: Mr S Beadle of behalf of the Eccles Action Group; Ms A Rillie  on behalf of the British Horse Society in N and W Kent; Mr A Ludlow and Mr T Johnson, Members of the Public; and  Mr Edwards on behalf of the applicant]