Agenda item

Land at Corkscrew Lane, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.

Having declared an interest in item A2 of the agenda, Councillor R Boam left the meeting, and Councillor R Blunt joined as his substitute. As Deputy, Councillor R Morris took the Chair.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report.

Siobhan Dillon, speaking as parish councillor on behalf of Coleorton Parish Council, addressed the Committee. She questioned the immediate need for the development and commented that it could cause an increase in traffic on roads that were already experiencing congestion.

Christopher Smith, speaking as town councillor on behalf of Ashby Town Council, addressed the Committee. He expressed scepticism over previous promised developments, the sustainability of the land, and highlighted that there was no need for more developments on green fields. He made reference to suitable alternative sites such as the adjacent G Park site that were yet to be built on.

Paul Bench, speaking as agent on behalf of DHL Real Estate Solutions, addressed the Committee. He spoke in support of the application and stated that they had a long history of investing in the local area. It was added that the development would create more jobs for local residents, and the community were supportive of this.

A discussion was had during which several questions of clarity were addressed by the planning officers. Members put forward arguments both for and against the application, with some raising concerns that it was premature, and did not comply with DHL’s requirements. Members noted that, if there was an immediate need, it would be a full application rather than at outline stage. They also discussed that there were alternative sites available that were more suitable for the development, including the adjacent G-Park site and at the Money Hill site.  A request was also made that if there was a reserved matters application for this site, that it be brought to Planning Committee for a decision.

The Legal Advisor drew members’ attention to sub-paragraph (c) of Paragraph 130 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which advises that local planning authorities should refuse applications that do not make efficient use of land. He added that, should part of the land associated with the G-Park site become sterilised because a scheme of the size proposed by DHL under the current application was proposed on the G-Park site, it would be recommended that the Committee refuse the application. Any refusal of the proposed application would have to be on planning grounds rather than because of adjacent land availability.

Clarification was provided by the Principal Planning Policy Officer and the Principal Planning Officer in respect of the alternative sites discussed by members.

Councillor D Bigby moved to refuse the application due to the availability of alternative sites. It was moved by Councillor J Legrys.

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

The motion was LOST.

Councillor J Simmons moved that the application should be approved in accordance with the officer’s recommendations. It was seconded by Councillor R Canny.

The Chair 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 officer’s recommendations.

[both recorded votes will be inserted here]