Issue - meetings

The Chairman introduced the next application, item 6(c), application number 146151 seeking permission to vary condition 13 (for the developer to accordwith the proposed scheme to prevent vehicles from accessing the private drive that connected in a southerly direction with the A158) of planning permission 133284 (granted on appeal for the erection of up to 130 dwellings and a new building to provide up to 25 apartments for retirement living, associated hard and soft landscaping,  together with the change of use of land to provide a new area of open space, including the provision of new footpaths and sustainable drainage infrastructure, and to provide new community allotment facilities.

The Chairman invited the Planning Officer to present the report.  The Planning Officer indicated that he had been copied into correspondence sent to the Highways Authority by the applicants’ agents in relation to a potential revised scheme.  However, this had no bearing on the current application concerning which a decision could be made.  The report detailed the background to the site.

The Chairman welcomed Parish Councillor Andrew Cottam from Sudbrooke Parish Council who addressed the Committee along the following lines:-

“Sudbrooke Parish Council wish to object to planning application 146151 on the grounds that the proposal completely negates the intention of condition 13 of the appeal decision.

Main Drive is a narrow private road maintained by the residents, who have a right of way written into the deeds of their properties. It has footpath 160 running along its length at its junction with the A158. It has an entrance bordered by Grade II listed gateways comprising two former estate houses and ornate iron gates. It also has a listed grade II stone parapet bridge spanning the back to the north of the gates.

Since the initial application to build a parkland estate was made Sudbrooke Parish Council has expressed written concern over access through the main drive for vehicular traffic. We have held many discussions with representatives of the developers to seek a solution. Ideas put forward have ranged from lifting barriers, lockable gates and rising bollards but none have been adopted by the developers. Indeed, we have been told by the developer on multiple occasions that such a restriction would be illegal because of footpath 160.  However, the Parish Council find it difficult to believe that Her Majesty's Inspector would place a condition on appeal that would be illegal.

Currently, there are signs at either end of Main Drive stating that it is a private road and that construction traffic are not to use it but these signs are ineffective. Google Maps shows main drive as an accessible road and is the most direct route to the Parklands development from the A158. As such, it is an easy route for delivery drivers from the supermarkets and online firms. It is also now being used as a “rat run” by current village residents to circumvent traffic problems at the junction of Scothern Lane and the A158.

Sudbrooke Parish Council believes that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127