Agenda item

To consider a report seeking ratification of the Planning Committee resolution on an application for erection of 95 dwellings, together with associated roads, open space and related works at land at Vicarage Lane, Llangollen (copy attached).

[Councillor Stuart Davies declared a personal interest in this item because he lived opposite the site subject of the application.]

A report was submitted seeking ratification of the Planning Committee resolution made on 14 December 2016 on an application for erection of 95 dwellings, together with associated roads, open space and related works at land at Vicarage Road, Llangollen.  Planning permission had been granted for the development subject to an increased provision of affordable housing.

The report updated members on additional information supplied by the applicant in relation to that resolution as summarised below –

·         Affordable Housing – the applicant would provide 10% affordable housing on the full 95 dwellings which equated to 9 dwellings on site and a commuted sum payment of £47,074.50 in lieu of the 0.5 dwellings.  The applicant proposed those affordable units be shared ownership

·         Security of Financial Contributions – the development of the on-site affordable units, payment of the commuted sum and open space responsibilities, and the provision of the financial contribution towards education could be adequately controlled via the S.106 legal agreement and therefore officers did not consider it necessary to require a financial bond to be entered into by the developer

·         Parking Area – a landscaping condition had been proposed in the original officer report seeking further agreement to the precise details of the open space and landscaped areas on site which could, if agreed, include additional parking space for vehicles.  It would be for the developer to submit a landscape proposal for the areas and officers could liaise with local members on the final scheme.

Councillor Stuart Davies (Local Member) was pleased to report that local residents had acknowledged the robust debate at the last meeting when considering the application and were thankful for it.  He thanked planning officers for their work in securing the relevant agreements with developers which could be controlled and enforced via the S.106 agreement as detailed within the report.  However he sought further clarification on the proposed shared ownership scheme and whether the Council could be involved in that provision as opposed to other social landlords.  Officers confirmed the proposal for shared equity in relation to the 9 affordable housing units and advised they would liaise with housing officers regarding Denbighshire’s role in that provision.  It was also open to the developer to take the matter up with other social landlords and propose a scheme.  Assurances were provided that local members would be kept informed of those discussions.

Officers responded to further questions as follows –

·         advised of the policies and procedures for dealing with affordable housing and ensuring requirements were met in terms of the appropriate allocation of units to meet local need, floor space standards and value/affordability factors and criteria – any concerns regarding individual cases should be raised outside of the meeting and any broader concerns regarding those policies should be taken up via the Local Development Plan Steering Group or Scrutiny Committee

·         late representations had been received from Llangollen Civic Society who had queried the contributions proposed in relation to Education and Open Space and officers explained the reasoning behind the view that the provision of open space and a contribution based on the 45 additional units would be acceptable in this case given the planning history and principle.

Proposal – Councillor Stuart Davies proposed the officer recommendations to ratify the resolution to grant planning permission on the basis as outlined in the report, seconded by Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts.

VOTE:

FOR – 18

AGAINST – 0

ABSTAIN – 0

RESOLVED that members ratify the 14 December 2016 Planning Committee decision and grant planning permission subject to the following –

·         the completion and signing of a S.106 legal agreement

·         the planning conditions as set out in the original officer report

·         the revised developer offer of 10% affordable housing on 95 dwellings.