Issue - meetings

To consider application UTT/18/3529/OP

The Development Management Team Leader presented the Outline application for residential development of up to 30 no. dwellings with associated roads and infrastructure with all matters reserved except access.

The application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions and Section 106 Agreement.

In response to a member question the Development Manager advised the Committee that it would be unlikely to have a decision on the Neighbourhood Plan before Christmas and the earliest a referendum could be held would be January or February. He also advised that the applicant would likely have an appeal decided before the referendum and could apply for costs.

Councillor Gerard said that there was scope for the Parish Council to request a Transport Study for the cumulative impact that all the new development has had on the Parish.

The Development Manager recommended that a decision be made, and that the application was policy compliant.  Also that there were no affordable homes in the emerging Felsted Neighbourhood Plan in contrast to the application before the Committee.

The committee were fully supportive of the neighbourhood plan process and the Felsted Neighbourhood Plan.

In response to a Member question the Development Management Team leader said that the lower part of the site that was clear of development could be secured for community benefit in a Section 106 agreement.   Any additional planning applications on that site would be considered independently on their own merits.

In response to a Member question it was advised by the Felsted Neighbourhood Steering Group representative that a new Housing Needs Survey would be carried out before the referendum.

Councillor Gerard proposed a motion to defer the application

Councillor de Vries seconded the motion to defer the application

The vote was split and the Chair used her casting vote to approve the motion to defer the application.

RESOLVED: to defer the application to enable work on the Neighbourhood Plan to come to fruition.

Cllr J Evans, R Ramm, R Freeman and N Tedder spoke on the application.