Agenda item

Outline application for the erection of up to 161 residential dwellings, involving the demolition of an existing dwelling (no.18 St Andrews Road) to create a new access onto St Andrews Road, and associated landscaping and open space with some matters reserved (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale). (amended plans).

The Lead Officer (South) advised the Committee that the application had been called in to Committee to consider the amenities and highways issues.

Councillor Leaver arrived at 10.05am

The Lead Officer (South) identified number 18 St Andrews Road, as the dwelling to be demolished to create the access road to the proposed development.

The Lead Officer (South) advised the Committee that:

·       there was the potential to erect acoustic fencing of a height of two metres to the boundary either side of no.18

·       The fence lines were highlighted in red on the plan.

·       Devon County Highways had no objection to the plan for the access / junction.

·       St Andrews Road was 5.1m wide and the proposed access road was 5.5m.

The Committee viewed the boundaries at either side of no.18 St Andrews Road.

The resident of 19 St Andrews Road (property adjacent no.18) advised the Committee that the windows at the front of her property were a sitting room and bedroom.

Resident of no. 20 confirm the uses of side windows in their property as serving a lounge and bedroom, and No.16 has a conservatory which they largely live in.

The Lead Officer (South) advised that these were classed as ‘Habitable rooms’ and were covered by amenity considerations for ambient lighting levels.

In response to questions from the Committee, and Ward Member, the Lead Officer (South) advised:

·       The height of a permitted boundary fence at the front of a property would be checked.

·       The height when bordering a highway could be affected depending on the visibility.

·       The width of the public footpath would be covered at Committee.

·       The site could not been seen from the Tarka Trail.  Photographs of the site from a wider range of views would be presented at Committee.

·       The agricultural grade of the land was 3B and 4.

The Committee viewed the access to the site from the existing entrance in St Andrews Road.

·       This location would be the pedestrian and cycle access only.

·       Councillors entered the site, up to the point at which the crops were planted. They were shown the direction of Church Farm, the boundary of the site, the direction of Chilpark, and the direction of the football pitch.

The Ward Member advised that the changing room facilities for the pitch would be those on the former Army camp site.

Cllr Jenkins sought clarification over the distance to the playing pitch from the changing facilities. Lead Officer advised this would be measured and provided at committee.

Cllr Prowse left the meeting at 10.45am

The Committee viewed the proposed informal pedestrian access to the site from Barracks Road which passed Church Farm.

The Lead Officer (South) advised that this would be an un-promoted access for pedestrians, creating a right of way.

Cllr Gubb left the meeting at 10.56am

The Committee viewed the road at the end of the access route to Church Park. This was partially owned by BDW Ltd.  A yellow line had been drawn on the ground by the owners of Church denoting where they considered their ownership began.  The Committee was advised that there was a joint right of way/access along this road. The Lead Officer advised Members that issues of landowner ship or challenge over right of access were civil matters and the purpose of the site visit was to consider only matters relating to amenity impacts and safety (crime and disorder impact) in relation to the informal access route proposed.

The Committee viewed Church Park field, the site.

The Lead Officer (South) identified the rear of no. 18 St Andrews Road from the field and confirmed that some of the trees at the rear of the property would be removed to create the access. The trees did not have a Tree Protection Order (TPO).