Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that the Code of Conduct provides that should they have a prejudicial interest in any matter under discussion and providing the matter is considered in public session, they are entitled to make representations and answer questions if members of the public are granted the same entitlement. Members must leave the room before the ensuing debate and vote and must not attempt to improperly influence a decision about that matter.

All members disclosed receipt of correspondence and receipt of telephone calls on the application.

Construction of up to 800 dwellings, mixed use local centre to consist of residential development, retail/commercial floorspace (1,000 sq.m. A1-A5) and D1 uses and primary school; laying out of green infrastructure consisting of open space, structural landscaping, and areas of equipped play and associated infrastructure; construction of new highway infrastructure between Alcester Road and Evesham Road and associated highway works and access connections; associated engineering and ground modelling works and drainage infrastructure; and demolition of nos. 3 and 4 Bordon Hill.

 

Recommendation:   GRANT, subject to a legal agreement

 

APPLICANT	J S Bloor (Tewkesbury) Ltd and Hallam Land Management Ltd
APPLICATION SITE	Land S.W. of Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
PROPOSAL	Construction of up to 800 dwellings, mixed use local centre to consist of residential development, retail/commercial floorspace (1,000 sq.m. A1-A5) and D1 uses and primary school; laying out of green infrastructure consisting of open space, structural landscaping, and areas of equipped play and associated infrastructure; construction of new highway infrastructure between Alcester Road and Evesham Road and associated highway works and access connections; associated engineering and ground modelling works and drainage infrastructure; and demolition of nos. 3 and 4 Bordon Hill.
SPEAKERS	Cllr Peter Emmerson, (Chair, Old Stratford & Drayton PC) – objecting   Martyn Luscombe, Stratford Voice – objecting   Richard Ford – on behalf of RASE – objecting   Robert Harding – objecting   Gordon Harrington – objecting   Cllrs Beamer, Hobbs, Cockings, J Fradgley (District Council Ward Member)

 

Updates since the preparation of the Officer’s report were circulated to the Committee as set out on the attached sheet.

 

Councillor Lawrence now disclosed a Personal Interest as the daughter of Mr Robert Harding was known to him.

 

NOTE:

 

• During the consideration of the application, the Committee adjourned at 6.45pm and reconvened at 7.05pm; and,

 

·         During the discussion on this item the Chairman reported that the Committee had been in session for 3½ hours and under the Constitution a decision was required as to whether the Committee would remain in session. It was unanimously agreed that the Committee continue in session.

 

Having considered the application and the representations made at the meeting including advice from the Planning Policy Manager who clarified the current position of the Council with regard to the Core Strategy and the District Council's five year housing land supply, the Committee, by a unanimous vote, did not support the Officer’s recommendation.

 

Following the above vote on the Officer’s recommendation the Committee adjourned at 8.15pm in order to take advice from Officers for reasons for refusal and reconvened at 8.25pm. 

 

Thereafter, by a unanimous vote, it was

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            That Application 09/02196/FUL be REFUSED for the following reasons (precise wording delegated to officers)

 

Visual

In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, the introduction of this large scale development to the rural landscape in this location, and the resulting loss of farmland, would have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the urban-rural fringe in this location, resulting in unacceptable harm to the setting of the town.  In particular, the housing density in the northern housing parcel, which is identified a being of medium sensitivity in the Landscape Sensitivity Study, is considered to be too high in this rural setting, with the open countryside to the west.  In addition to this, the housing land in the south west corner of the southern housing parcel would result in an area of development which would appear incongruous by reason of it being the only built development to the west of the link road, resulting in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 301.