Agenda item

Demolition of the former Railway Inn and the creation of 16 retirement dwellings for people aged 55 and over, repositioning of vehicular and pedestrian access into the site and associated open space and landscaping.

The committee considered application P17/S1865/FUL to demolish the former Railway Inn and create 16 retirement dwellings for people aged 55 and over, repositioning the vehicular and pedestrian access into the site and associated open space and landscaping at The Railway Hotel, 24 Station Road, Wheatley.  This application had been considered at the planning committee held on 7 February 2018 but was deferred to allow for a site visit.

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 this meeting.

Roger Bell, a representative of Wheatley Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. 

Anita James, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application.

Giles Brockbank, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

In response to questions raised by the committee, the officers reported that:

·         The completion of a Section 278 Agreement could secure a pedestrian crossing on Station Road to allay safety concerns.

·         Only allowing over 55-year-olds to occupy the site is an applicant request and is not something the council can determine.

·         It would be preferential to impose the 40% affordable housing rule for this development, but this cannot be enforced as a condition. The developers are offering an increased Section 106 payment of £200,000.  It is also not possible to ensure that this money is spent in Wheatley alone, and the final cost of the properties is not a relevant planning consideration.

• The balconies are an acceptable way to provide community space.

Some committee members were concerned about the lack of affordable housing the development was going to provide, the cost to future residents thus and the loss of the public house to the community.  Other concerns included the three-storey and bulky nature of the building and the potential for overlooking onto neighbouring properties, rendering it out of character and unneighbourly.

Other committee members argued that concerns had been met by the developer, impact on neighbouring properties was limited and, as the average of age of similar Beechcroft developments for residents is 76, parking was not a significant issue and the location is suitable. 

The committee agreed to include the provision of a Section 278 Agreement to secure a pedestrian crossing on Station Road.

A motion, moved and seconded, to reject the application was declared lost on being put to the vote.

A motion, moved and seconded, to delegate authority to grant planning permission to the Head of Planning, was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to authorise the Head of Planning to grant planning permission for application P17/S1865/FUL, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement and a Section 278 Agreement, and the following conditions: