Agenda item

Slack And Parr Ltd Long Lane Kegworth Derby DE74 2FL

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration referred to the additional comments submitted by Kegworth Parish Council regarding open space and leisure facilities, children’s play, traffic and parking, and the library.  He reported that the applicant was happy to provide a contribution towards the zebra crossing; therefore the planning officers would negotiate this with the Highway Authority.

Ms H Tansley, Parish Councillor, addressed the Committee.  She commented that the Parish Council wants Kegworth to be sustainable with enough local facilities and the proposed factory would employ people for the foreseeable future.  She believed that the children’s safety was important when accessing the playground so it was encouraging that the applicant agreed to contribute towards it.  She expressed concerns regarding the lower than average figure for affordable homes within the development.

Mr D Bainbridge, agent, addressed the Committee.  He explained that the application was a good example of a high quality mixed use development and was grateful for the support and advice provided by officers.  He reported that there were no technical objections and referred to the benefits the development would bring which were listed on page 75 of the application.  He commented that the developers had engaged with the Parish Council and held very productive meetings which had contributed towards the good application Members had in front of them.

The officer’s recommendation to permit was moved by Councillor J Hoult and seconded by Councillor R Adams. 

Councillor D J Stevenson commented that the Parish Councillor addressed the Committee very well as it could be very daunting.  He expressed the importance of supporting the Parish Councils and in doing so he would like to move that the Section 106 Agreement be amended so that the police contributions be transferred to the Parish Council as he believed it would be better spent.  It was seconded by Councillor J Legrys and agreed.

Councillor R Adams commented that he shared the Parish Council’s disappointment regarding the low number of affordable housing but overall he was in support of the application.

Councillor D Harrison felt that it was a good application which provided homes and jobs, as well as keeping a local business in the area.

Councillor J Coxon commented that he was pleased with the work that had been undertaken with the Parish Council as he felt it was important to have their involvement.  He would like to see more of this joint working in the future.

Councillor V Richichi stated that he was pleased that we are listening to the people and that is the most important thing, and supported the development of Brownfield sites instead of countryside.

Councillor J Legrys commented that the fact there had been no objections to the application, proved that dialogue between developers and Parish Councils did work.  He also stated that he was very happy with the transfer of Section 106 money to the Parish Council.

Councillor R Johnson referred to the Parish Council’s request to place conditions on the hours of operation and asked if that was possible.  The Head of Planning & Regeneration advised not to add such conditions as it would be very difficult to enforce and stray into the local planning authority taking an inappropriate role in how the business would operate. 

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, with the amendment to the Section 106 Agreement to the effect that the contribution of £12,859 to the police be instead made to Kegworth Parish Council for sports and recreation, and that it be delegated to the Head of Planning & Regeneration to negotiate a suitable crossing of Side Ley between the site and the play area opposite.