Issue - meetings

REFUSED

Description of application – Demolition of Nos 20-24 Station Road and redevelopment with two/two and a half storey building to form 27 retirement apartments for the elderly including communal facilities, access, car parking and landscaping.

Oral representations in support of the application were received at the meeting.  It was reported that further objections to the application had been received and that a local resident had suggested that if permission were granted a contribution towards travel in the area should be considered together with some additional sustainability measures.

The Chairman and Councillor Joel were both in favour of the revised scheme.

Councillor Fawthrop’s view was that the proposed development was too bulky and Councillor Fawthrop and Councillor Auld were both of the opinion that fourteen parking spaces were insufficient.  Councillor Evans was concerned at the lack of affordable housing and felt that the proposed payment in lieu was inadequate.  The Chief Planner’s representative advised Members that the proposed contributions set out in the Chief Planner’s report on page 51, lines 4, 5 and 6 had been independently assessed and calculated using a standard module.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE REFUSED, for the following reasons:-

1. The proposed development would lack adequate on-site car parking provision to meet the needs of the development leading to increased demand for on-street parking in the vicinity of the site, which would be likely to prejudice the free flow of traffic and conditions of general safety in the highway contrary to Policies T3 and T18 of the Unitary Development Plan and draft Policies 30 and 32 of the emerging Local Plan.

2.  The proposed development would fail to provide an adequate level of affordable housing, contrary to Policies H2 and H3 of the Unitary Development Plan, draft Policy 2 of the emerging Local Plan and Policies 3.9, 3.11 and 3.12 of the London Plan.