Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from Members.

Apologies were received from Councillor D Ruff. Apologies were also received from Councillor J Ridgway, who was substituted by Councillor N Barker.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of Planning Committee held on 26 April 2022.      

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26 April 2022 were approved as a true record.

Outline application (with all matters except access reserved for further approval) for the erection of 397 dwellings on land South West of Upperthorpe Road, Killamarsh (Major Development) (Affecting a public footpath) (Amended Information)

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that an outline Application had been submitted for the erection of 397 dwellings on land to the south-west of Upperthorpe Road, Killamarsh. The Application had been referred to Committee at the request of Ward Councillor S Clough, who had raised concerns about it.

Planning Committee was recommended to approve the Application, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The report to Committee explained why Members were asked to approve the recommendations.  Officers felt that the Development would be acceptable and sustainable in planning terms. The site had been allocated for residential development under the Local Plan. Subject to final determination of the potential highway mitigation and the archaeological assessment of the Application, there were no technical reasons why the Development should not proceed. The full infrastructure mitigation package had been generally agreed with the Applicant and a Section 106 Agreement would be completed prior to the final determination of the Application.

Before Members discussed the Application those registered to speak were asked to address the Committee. L Rowley MP, Ward Councillor S Clough, Ward Councillor A Platts, Councillor C Renwick (in her capacity as Derbyshire County Council for the Division covering the area), W Tinley,  K Whitworth, K Wood, P Johnson, K Bone, M Evans, K Warnes, A Whitaker, B Clamp, S Thompson, C Curzon, C Lacey, D Grzona, B Mahoney and E Thompson objected to the Application. The Applicant, J Neville, spoke in support of it.   

Committee considered the Application. It took into account the location of the site, primarily within the Settlement Development Limits for Killamarsh, with a smaller area located within the Green Belt. It considered Local Plan Policies SS1, SS2 and SP4, which seek to focus housing development on Killamarsh and the District’s three other main towns. Committee took into account Local Plan Policy SS10, on appropriate development outside of settlement limits and within the Green Belt.

Committee considered whether the Development would provide sufficient affordable housing, in line with Local Plan Policy LC4. It considered the provision of urban green space, as required by Local Plan Policy ID10. It also took into account the requirement of Policy LC1 that compensatory improvements to the environmental quality / accessibility should be made, where appropriate to offset the effect of removing land from the Green Belt.

Members discussed the Application. They reflected on the concerns raised about the proposed number of properties and how this would be significantly greater than that identified in the Local Plan. Members heard how the Local Plan figure was only indicative and was not intended to set a maximum limit for development. Rather, the number of properties that could be built on the site would depend on their size and design. It was explained that subject to this being agreed in advance, it would be possible to accommodate the proposed 397 units there.

Some Members expressed concern about the scale of the proposed development. In particular, they highlighted the possible burden which  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA/95/21-22

To consider any other matter which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

None.