Agenda item

Development of 9 no. residential dwellings (100% affordable) including associated access, car parking, landscaping and all other ancillary works (amended layout and housing mix)

Land North of Piper Road, Piper Road, Ovingham, Northumberland

The Planning Area Manager (West) introduced the application with the aid of a powerpoint presentation and explained that the application had previously been considered by the committee on 15 February 2022 although the Section 106 agreement had not been completed prior to the adoption of the Northumberland Local Plan (NLP) on 30 March 2022.  The Section 106 would now only look to secure affordable housing on the site and no longer include a financial requirement to contribute to sport and play provision.  Adoption of the Northumberland Local Plan had not changed the previous suitability assessment although the report and conditions had been updated to reflect the adopted Northumberland Local Plan policies and include additional conditions no. 30 for accessible housing and no. 31 climate change mitigation.  She added that condition no 31 should be amended to refer to Policy STP4 and an additional condition no. 32 be added regarding broadband, see below:

In response to questions from Members of the Committee the following information was provided:-

·        The conditions and informative would be checked to ensure that the wording agreed last time regarding the size of plants for replacement hedging was repeated in this application.

·        A condition regarding EV chargers had been included.

·        Tynedale had been in the minority with regard to former policies which sought contributions under Section 106 agreements for sport and play provision.  Overall, the new plan would deliver better infrastructure across the county.

·        It was disappointing that the decision notice had not been issued prior to adoption of the Northumberland Local Plan, the number of units proposed at this site was under the new threshold of 10 units.  Whilst a contribution from this site could not be obtained for sport and play provision, funds for Ovingham could be available from a cumulative fund.

·        It was confirmed that all of the units would be affordable housing for rent and managed by a social housing landlord.

·        An additional condition regarding broadband was to be added in accordance with the new NLP policy ICTZ which required that fibre broadband be provided in rural areas.

·        Officers could not speculate on the familiarity of the applicant with the new NLP and thresholds contained within its policies.

·        It was agreed that good design did not have to be expensive, and officers would seek to increase design standards under the NLP.

·        There was no specific policy which stated that EV chargers or solar panels must be installed at a site.  However, condition no. 31 required details of proposals to minimise use of resources and mitigate and adapt to climate change before construction; developers could not refuse to incorporate measures such as the aforementioned.

The Development Service Manager agreed to obtain a briefing paper from Strategic Service Manger to explain the changes and benefits of the new plan in relation to Section 106 agreements.

Councillor Oliver proposed acceptance of the recommendation to approve the application subject to:

·        Completion of a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing.

·        Amendment of condition no 31 to refer to Policy STP4.

·        Inclusion of an additional condition regarding provision of broadband.

·        Provision of EV chargers for every property.

·        The wording of conditions to be delegated to the Director of Planning with the agreement of the Chair.

This was seconded by Councillor Kennedy.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED permission for the reasons and with the conditions as outlined in the report and subject to:

·        Completion of a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing.

·        Amendment of condition no 31 to refer to Policy STP4.

·        Inclusion of an additional condition regarding provision of broadband.

·        Provision of EC chargers for every property.

·        The wording of conditions to be delegated to the Director of Planning with the agreement of the Chair.