Agenda item

The Development Manager reported that this application sought permission for the demolition of garages and the erection of a three-storey block of flats of nine affordable dwellings, comprising six 1-bedroom and three 2-bedroom flats.  There would be seven parking spaces on site, with an additional four spaces designated for the development on the neighbouring site of DC/16/2394.  

The application was linked to applications DC/16/2934 and DC/16/2936 which were also being considered by the Committee.  The 100% affordable housing provision would contribute towards the total of 14 (36%) affordable units provided by the three Saxon Weald applications; this provision would be secured through a legal agreement.

The application site was located within the built-up area of Broadbridge Heath, south of Swan Way and currently comprised garages arranged in two blocks.  It was within a residential area, including three-storey apartment blocks and two storey dwellings in a mixture of designs and styles, although the prevailing material was brick.

Details of relevant government and council policies, as contained within the report, were noted by the Committee.  The responses from statutory internal and external consultees, as contained within the report, were considered by the Committee.

The Parish Council objected to the application.  The Local Member had raised concerns regarding parking provision and loss of garages.  Five letters of objection from three households had been received. One member of the public spoke in objection to the application.  The applicant’s agent spoke in support of the proposal.  The applicant also addressed the committee in support of the proposal and stated that his comments were also relevant to applications DC/16/2936 and DC/16/2934.  A representative of the Parish Council spoke in objection to the application.

Members considered the officer’s planning assessment which indicated that the key issues for consideration in determining the proposal were: the principle of development: affordable housing; impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area; impact on the privacy and amenity of neighbouring properties; and highway safety and parking.

Members discussed parking capacity and, in response to the Local Member’s concerns that the proposed layout did not make best use of the available space because of the size of the disabled parking bay, officers agreed that Condition 16 would be amended to allow for the parking bays to be reconfigured and a new plan submitted for approval. 

Whilst the loss of garages was not considered to have a significant impact on parking capacity, the informal use of some garages for storage was noted.  Members requested that an Informative to the applicant be added regarding the impact of the loss of storage space on the individual highlighted by the member of the public who had spoken in objection to the proposal.

RESOLVED

(i)      That a legal agreement be entered into to secure contributions towards infrastructure and linking this application to applications DC/16/2934 and DC/16/2936 to ensure that the appropriate affordable housing provision and mix is provided across the three sites.

(ii)     That on completion of (i) above, planning application DC/16/2935 be determined by the Development Manager.  During determination Condition 16 to be reworded to allow for the approved site plan to be amended.  The view of the Committee was that the application should be granted.