Agenda item

Outline planning application for erection of 69 no. dwellings-access tobe considered and not reserved for subsequent applications on land at Brigg Road, Caistor.

Outline planning application for the erection of 69 dwellings - access tobe considered and not reserved for subsequent applications on land at Brigg Road, Caistor.

The Principal Development Management Officer updated the Committee on further representations which had been received. Comments had been received from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) Highways department, that there were drainage issues and insufficient information regarding flood risk, and that the application should be refused.

Caistor Town Council had objected on grounds of highways concerns, however had no problem with the location and design of the development.

A further representation had been received from the applicant’s agent acknowledging that as yet there was no solution to the drainage problems, but that they were committed to solving the matter and would include the SUDS system as required.  Revised proposals had been submitted to LCC Highways for consideration and it was requested that the decision be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer on resolution of the drainage issues.

Communication had since taken place with LCC Highways officers who were still unable to support the proposals, stating that the whole scheme needed to be reassessed.

Town Councillor Alan Caine then addressed the meeting and had circulated proposed additional reasons for refusal, and also a list of conditions to be applied should the Committee be minded to grant permission.  Councillor Caine then described the proposed access on a bend, which with two new tourist sites gave potential for accidents, as it was believed there were several unreported incidents at that location.  Reference was then made to the Area of High Landscape Value and Area of Natural Beauty.  The density of 69 dwellings on the site was felt to be too many and that guidance recommended only 50 in such open areas.  The name Waterhills signified the nature of the land with an underlying chalk watercourse, with biodiversity and rare wildlife habitats.  There was the potential for the pollution of the watercourse and subsequent impact on the wildlife.

Louise Longstaff then spoke on behalf of the applicant, describing how work had been ongoing with officers for a number of years to achieve an acceptable proposal.  The site would be complementary to Caistor in a sustainable location and was within 600m of the town centre as required by the Caistor Neighbourhood Plan.  Few of the objections raised had any policy basis and apart from the drainage issues all aspects were considered acceptable.  The land was in private ownership and had never been designated for public recreation.  A contribution towards educational provision had been offered.  The applicant was committed to addressing the drainage issues and requested that approval be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer on resolution of the problems which were a minor technicality for which a resolution was possible.

Dan Morgan and Paul Stubbs then addressed the Committee as residents in objection to the proposals, stating whilst it was acknowledged that Caistor had to expand there were other more appropriate sites, on brownfield land and closer to facilities.  Concerns were raised regarding highway safety, flooding and contamination of the chalk stream, the impact on already overstretched facilities such as the schools and health provision.

The Chairman verified with the Officer that the only reason for refusal was the drainage issues and that all other matters, such as highway safety were considered acceptable.  The Principal Development Management Officer affirmed that the access had been considered by the LCC Highways department and was not a reason for refusal.  Caistor was an appropriate focus for development, part of the site was allocated within the emerging Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and the site would contribute towards the Five Year Housing Land Supply.  LCC had concerns with the flood risk and its impact on the site, nearby residents and wildlife, and were not convinced that the issues could be addressed.

Brief discussion ensued by the Committee, raising issues such as the time taken for determination, the density of the development, affordable housing and contributions towards education and health.  It was clarified that there were no site allocations within the Caistor Neighbourhood Plan, but the site met policy criteria in terms of distance from the town centre.  The Central Lincolnshire Local Plan was now sufficiently advanced to be of primary weight in the consideration of applications.

It was suggested that a site visit take place in order to assess the site’s position on the scarp slope, which would also give officers additional time to consider revised drainage plans.

It was therefore Moved, Seconded and AGREED that a site visit take place on a date to be determined.