Agenda item

Money Hill Site North Of Nottingham Road And South Of A511 Ashby De La Zouch Leicestershire 

Having declared a pecuniary interest in the item, Councillor D Harrison stepped away from the committee and took a seat in the public gallery.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to members.

Ms L Kirk, objector, addressed the committee asking why developers did not put solar panels on the roofs to be more eco-friendly.

Ms C Chave, agent, addressed the committee highlighting that the developers had already made considerable commitment to the development including work to the access roundabout on the A511 and that the granting of the application before the committee would allow them to ensure that work stayed on track to enable the first homes to be ready in earlier 2023. This in turn would then trigger the delivery of community facilities through the S106. It was highlighted that there were no technical objections and that the only concern outstanding from the Town Council was the off-street public right of way connection to North Street, which was not a material consideration for the committee. Members were advised that funds would be brought forward earlier to allow LCC to kick start the enhanced connectivity project.

Councillor D Harrison, ward member, addressed the committee expressing his deep concern over the lack of connectivity from the car park on the development through to the town, which would have benefited the town through the green eco element. He hoped that NWLDC would work with LCC to ensure that the route to the town centre was brought forward. He highlighted that the traffic was significantly increasing along Nottingham Road and that the route that was in place was not safe to take young children along, urging the developer to take the need of suitable connectivity to town away to be considered again.

Councillor D Harrison then left the meeting and took no part in the debate and voting thereon.

In determining the application some members expressed concerns over the connectivity of the site to the town, as when considering the original application, promises were made that it would be done correctly, and the plans before them did not meet the expectations of the Town Council or residents. It was requested that a new surface was considered to ensure that it was in a safe state for users to walk along. Concerns were also raised over the maintenance of the bus gates and the highways in the estate, along with the management and enforcement of the recycling points.

Members had regard to the fact the Head of Planning and Infrastructure had been in contact with an Assistant Director of Highways to impress on them the importance of seeking a positive outcome to the connectivity concerns but noted that the consideration of the footpath was not a material consideration for the application before them. It was noted that the condition in the report was in relation to the connections within the site, the bus gates and recycling points would be managed and maintained by a management company, and it was proposed that the main roads through the site would be adopted and then some edge lanes that would fall under a management company but would have public access.

The recommendation to permit the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation was moved by Councillor J Hoult and seconded by Councillor J Bridges.

The Chairman put the motion to the vote. A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendations of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure.

Councillor D Harrison returned to the meeting.