Issue - meetings

Outline Application (With All Matters Reserved Except Access) For Up To 820 Dwellings, Up To 0.28ha Neighbourhood Hub, Up To 1.9ha Employment Uses, Primary School, Community Sports Provision & A Network Of Open Spaces Together With Highways & Other Infrastructure Works (Amended Plans). Report by Lead Planning Officer (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Planning Officer (circulated previously).

The Lead Planning Officer advised of the following corrections to be made to the committee report:

·       The area of land edged in blue on the plan showing the site allocation was in the control of the applicant Barwood however it did not form part of this planning application.

·       Section 106 Agreement Heads of Terms and Viability – paragraph 12.3, reference to the “Serviced Primary School site” should state “1.8 hectare” as Devon County Council had requested a total of 1.8 hectare (1.3ha and 0.5ha for expansion) for the new primary school site.

The Lead Planning Officer advised that Matt Collins, Devon County Council Highways Officer was in attendance.

Nick Mathews (representing the applicant) addressed the Committee.

Sue Petters (Assistant Town Clerk for Barnstaple Town Council) advised that Rob Ward was unable to attend and confirmed that she did not wish to address the Committee.

In response to questions, the Lead Planning Officer advised the following:

·       It was proposed that the viability of the scheme would be reviewed half way through the construction of the development.  If the target sales within the viability assessment were exceeded then it was anticipated that a share of the profit would be used to deliver additional affordable housing.  There would not be a “downward review” in relation to the provision of affordable housing and the minimum number of affordable housing units delivered on the site would be 82.

·       The Park and Change parking areas could be used more flexibly for onward travel such as for public transport or traveling by bike to onward destinations.

·       The construction of a new primary school would form part of the phasing plan.  The community hub was at the heart of the scheme, however the key spine road needed to be constructed and survey works for the school needed to undertaken prior to construction works commencing on the new primary school. There would be a quantum of housing delivered first and the school would be delivered at the earliest point in the scheme.

·       Devon County Council Public Health had requested a financial contribution towards the expansion of the existing medical centre provision in the town.  It would not be used for the provision of a new facility. This financial contribution would be released to the NHS at the earliest opportunity.  The Council would work with the NHS in relation to the drafting of the section 106 agreement to tie the financial contribution to a particular scheme.

·       There was no local plan policy in relation to the occupancy of dwellings.

·       The Housing Infrastructure Fund would enable an additional 3% affordable housing units to be provided as part of the development.

·       The community hub would be provided by the developer.  If it could not be provided then section 106 financial contributions would be sought.

·       Due to the uncertainty of the access road being provided through the park, the masterplan would secure a secondary road which would terminate at the boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53