Agenda and minutes

Councillor Michael Edwards (personal)

Councillor Wendy Smith (leave)

Councillor Roger Steel (other Council business)

Councillors Graham Chapman and Alan Clark both declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 4a ‘Car Park on site of Queens House, Queens Road’ as Nottingham City Council-appointed directors of EnviroEnergy Ltd, which did not preclude them from speaking or voting.

Meeting held on 18 March 2015 (for confirmation)

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2015 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Rob Percival, Area Planning Manager, introduced a report of the Head of Development Management and Regeneration, on application 15/00462/PFUL3, submitted by CPMG Architects Ltd on behalf of Langar Investments Ltd for a new student development comprising 215 self-contained units with ancillary accommodation at ground floor and associated works.

The Committee also considered additional information contained in 2 update sheets, copies of which were placed round the table and which had also been published subsequent to the agenda.

During discussion, the following comments were made:

(a)  there was strong support in principle for placing student accommodation on the site, and for the communal accommodation available for occupants;

(b)  there was consensus that the proposed exterior treatment was too dark and would make the street oppressive;

(c)  Mr Percival confirmed that the ground floor front elevation is set back very slightly;

(d)  Mr  Percival confirmed that the current proposal, with the courtyard of the U-shaped configuration facing away from Queens Road was to maximise access to natural light. Having the courtyard opening onto Queen’s Road was not feasible;

(e)  A councillor expressed concern about the horizontal emphasis of the design, with insufficient verticality in the elevational treatment.

RESOLVED to

(1)  delegate approval to the Head of Development Management and Regeneration to grant planning permission for the reasons set out in the report, subject to the conditions substantially in the form of those listed in the draft decision notice, as amended by the update sheets and the additional conditions listed within the update sheets, and subject to:

(a)  Resolution of design changes and external materials, to be agreed in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair and Opposition spokesperson;

(b)  Prior completion of a Section 106 Planning Obligation, to include:

(i)  a financial contribution of £86,569.75 towards the improvement and provision of sport, recreational and visitor facilities at the Meadows Recreation Ground;

(ii)  a student management scheme which shall include a restriction on car usage;

(2)  delegate authority to determine the final details of both the terms of the Planning Obligation and the conditions of planning permission to the Head of Development Management and Regeneration.

Rob Percival, Area Planning Manager, introduced a report of the Head of Development Management and Regeneration, on application 09/02049/POUT, to modify the existing planning obligation relating to the development at the former Government Buildings, Chalfont Drive.

Mr Percival summarised proposed modifications to the Section 106 Agreement dated 17 November 2011 (as varied on 18 October 2013) and detailed in the report:

·  a new requirement to provide a financial contribution towards education provision of £1,021,517;

·  a revised requirement to provide 16.8% on-site affordable housing (down from 20%);

·  to provide reimbursement for provision of Kangaroo Passes to all households up to a maximum value of £166,905 (replacing an obligation to provide Smarter Choices packs);

·  to revise the obligation to submit a scheme for an on-site equipped play area so that the cost might fall below the original agreed minimum of £120,000.

During discussion, the following comments were made:

(a)  the new Section 106 contribution to education was likely to go to secondary provision;

(b)  Mr Percival confirmed that there was a formal definition of ‘Affordable housing’ against which delivery of the obligation would be assessed;

(c)  Mr Percival advised that transport and traffic flow issues had been considered in depth at the outline planning permission stage.

RESOLVED to

(1)  grant authority to modify the Section 106 agreement dated 17 November 2011 (as varied on 18 October 2013) in relation to the former Land Registry Buildings, Chalfont Drive in the following respects:

·  To require a financial contribution towards education provision of £1,021,517;

·  To require a 16.8% on-site affordable housing scheme (in place of the existing obligation to provide 20% on-site affordable housing;

·  To provide reimbursement for the provision of Kangaroo Passes to all households to a total maximum value of £166,905 (in place of the existing obligation to issue Smarter Choices Packs to each household); and

·  That the local planning authority may agree with the developer that the value of the equipped play area to be provided on site may be less than £120,000;

(2)  delegate authority for details of the modification agreement to the Head of Development Management And Regeneration.

Rob Percival, Area Planning Manager, introduced a report of the Head of Development Management and Regeneration, on application 14/02823/PRES4 by Urbanissta Development Planning on behalf of Bellway Homes East Midlands relating to reserved matters for 345 dwellings (Phase 1) of outline planning consent reference 09/02049/POUT (details of layout, access, appearance and landscaping) at the former Government Buildings, Chalfont Drive.

The Committee also considered additional information contained in an update sheet, copies of which were placed round the table and which had also been published subsequent to the agenda.

During discussion, the following points were made:

(a)  A councillor asked about the impact of the development on existing properties on Prestwood Drive. Mr Percival explained that the minimum distance between existing and new properties was 25 metres, which was generous by current standards. He also confirmed that it was not possible to align on-site low-level properties with existing bungalows on Prestwood Drive;

(b)  A councillor expressed concern about the effect on traffic levels of the exit from the development onto Beechdale Road. Mr Percival reiterated that transport and traffic flow issues had been considered in depth at the outline planning permission stage. He confirmed that the site had 2 vehicle exits onto Robins Wood Road, and that the development was designed to deter its being used as a throughcut for traffic;

(c)  councillors highlighted the importance of having good quality boundary treatment between existing houses and the site.

RESOLVED to

(1)  grant planning permission for the reasons set out in the report, subject to the indicative conditions substantially in the form of those listed in the draft notice, as amended by the update sheet and the additional conditions listed within the update sheet;

(2)  delegate authority for details of the modification agreement to the Head of Development Management And Regeneration.

To note that the next meeting of Planning Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 27 May 2015 (subject to confirmation at Annual Council)

The Committee noted that the next meeting of Planning Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 27 May 2015, subject to confirmation at Annual Council.

The Committee expressed its thanks to Councillor Eileen Morley, who was not seeking re-election, for her work on the Committee.