Issue - meetings

To consider application UTT/20/2175/DFO.

The Acting Senior Planning Officer presented an application following outline approval UTT/17/3426/OP (approved under appeal APP/C1570/W/19/3227368) for extra care housing (use Class C2) together with associated infrastructure including road, drainage and access - details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.  

The proposal was for a total of 72 units of specialised ‘extra care’ accommodation units  and includes:   31 x 1 bed apartments, 25 x 2 bed apartments, 7 x 1 bed bungalows and 9 x 2 bed bungalows.

The bungalows had access to small rear gardens as well as a central courtyard. Ground floor apartments had access to a terrace, and some upper floor apartments had access to balconies. There was also a large communal garden and terrace.

The application was recommended for approval with conditions. 

The following concerns were raised by Members:-

·         The size and nature of the building and the visual impact on one of the gateways into the town of Saffron Walden.

·         A similar development, Cornell Court, on the other side of the road had problems with low occupancy.

In response to a question from Councillor Freeman, the Acting Senior Planning Officer clarified that it was not the same applicant as the previous scheme that had been turned down.

In response to a question from Councillor Bagnall the Acting Senior Planning Officer said the PV Panels covered the roof of the apartment blocks and a condition had been added that the developer submit plans of how they featured on the bungalows.

In response to a question from Councillor Pavitt the agent, R Butler, said that the PV panels would be at a slight angle.

The Development Manager said that if the design was not acceptable the Members would need to refuse the application.

Councillor Coote suggested that if the development was moved back from the road and provided more trees this would screen the building from the road and minimise the impact on the approach.

The Development Manager said the application could be refused on gen 2 – impact on the street scene.

Councillor Fairhurst proposed that the application be refused on this basis. 

Councillor Freeman seconded the motion.

RESOLVED to refuse the application.

 R Butler (agent) spoke in favour of the application.