Agenda item

Reserved Matters application for the construction of 116 dwellings with associated infrastructure, landscaping, parking, open space and reptile habitat. Application considers details of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, following grant of outline planning permission P16/S3284/O for up to 140 dwellings.

The committee voted to extend the meeting in order to finish considering this item at 11.53am.

The planning officer ran through the proposal. This item was a reserved matters application for the construction of 116 dwellings with associated infrastructure, landscaping, parking, open space and reptile habitat. The application considers details of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, following grant of outline planning permission P16/S3284/O for up to 140 dwellings.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting.

The planning officer confirmed that recommended condition 4 was to be changed to “no more than 88 dwellings to be occupied until all estate roads are provided” – “driveways and footpaths” was to be removed from the report under that condition.

The application was referred to committee due to the officer recommendation conflicting with the views of Chinnor Parish Council.

Councillor Martin Wright, a representative of Chinnor Parish Council, submitted a statement to object against the proposal. Due to technical difficulties, the democratic services officer read out Martin Wright’s statement to the committee, as he was unable to address the committee.

Andrew Walker, of Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, spoke to object against the proposal.

Caroline Owen, of Persimmon Homes, spoke to support the proposal.

Councillor Ian White, a local ward councillor, spoke to the application.

The points below summarise the discussion of the committee:

·       Concern raised over a lack of private amenity space. Officers added that there was enough space locally for residents to use.

·       The 116 dwellings were of a good mix.

·       The proposal felt like an “anywhere” design.

·       A set-back distance had been implemented to create a barrier from the noise and air pollution of the railway.

·       Officers reminded the committee that this was a reserved matters application, and that major changes to the outline planning permission could not be made. This application was for layout, appearance, scale, landscaping and access.

·       Councillors were pleased to see there would be tree pits to help longevity of new trees and asked what tree species would be used.

·       Concern raised over block paving, which could create heat islands. It was confirmed that the tarmacked areas would be broken up with other material.

·       The landscape officer had worked with Persimmon to improve the landscaping.

·       Officers had improved the parking facilities proposed in the development.

·       Officers had worked hard to improve based on concerns raised.

·       New homes would have higher standard gas boilers and insulation.

·       The committee considered the information on protecting the slowworm population on-site and were happy with this.

·       The planning officer confirmed that the play area was secured in the outline planning permission. We can approve this reserved matters application without the play area, as this was holding up the developer’s start date. We still have control of the play area through other means, so it is not necessary to withhold consent until the legal agreement is varied.

Despite the planning officers advising against adding a condition, due to outline planning permission being already approved, some members of the committee wished to add a condition for electric vehicle charging points to all 166 dwellings, not just the provision of 58 charging points.

A view was expressed that new housing developments needed to cater to future changes in technology and the increase in electric vehicles, and the declared climate emergency. There were concerns over potential future retrofitting costs.

Councillors were advised that the developer may appeal the decision. Officers explained that the condition would not meet the Government six test. There is no policy supporting 100% electrical vehicle charging points.

A motion was moved and seconded, to grant planning permission for the application. This was declared carried on being put to the vote, subject to the removal of the Section 106 variation and an additional condition for electric charge point ducting for 100% of dwellings.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P19/S4187/RM, subject to the following conditions;

·       To add a condition to provide ducting for the 116 dwellings for future electric vehicle charging points; and

·       To remove the Section 106 variation

RECOMMENDATION

To delegate authority to grant reserved matters approval to the Head of Planning subject to the following conditions:

1. Development in accordance with approved plans

2. First floor window in the sides of plots 7, 16 and 28 to be obscure glazed

3. Estate roads and footpaths provided before occupation of each dwelling

4. No more than 88 dwellings to be occupied until all estate roads are provided

5. No garage conversion into accommodation

6. Reptile Mitigation Strategy

7. Pedestrian access points to neighbouring developments

8. Provide ducting for the 116 dwellings to allow for future electric vehicle charging at each dwelling.