Agenda item

[Note1: In accordance with Public speaking at Planning Committee Nick Luthwood attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the application and Aine Bourke spoke in support].

[Note 2:  The Committee were advised of an amendment to Conditions to 2 and 26 including additional conditions 42 and 43 as follows:

Condition 02 – Approved plans/drawings:

OWIL01-ENG-ZZ-XX-RP-0901 Rev 05 (Drainage Statement), dated 14.06.2019 and received by the Local Planning Authority on 17.06.2019.

Condition 26 – Drainage Statement:

All developments shall be constructed in accordance with the submitted and approved Drainage Statement dated June 2019 (Ref: OWIL-ENG-ZZ-XX-RP-0901 Rev 05), Below Ground Drainage Layout - External dated 05/06/19 (Ref: OWIL-1-ENG-ZZ-00-DR-F-3000 Rev P4) and Microdrainage calculations (Appendix H) unless otherwise first agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the development achieves a high standard of sustainability and does not increase the risk of surface water flooding within the locality in accordance with Policies CS9 and CS16 of the Woking Core Strategy (2012) and the provision of the NPPF.

Condition 42 - Flood Warning and Management Strategy

Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted a detailed Flood Warning and Management Strategy for the occupants shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved plan shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details throughout the lifetime of the development.

Reason: To ensure the future occupants of the development remain safe during any flood event in accordance with Paragraph 163 of the NPPF and Policy CS9 of the Woking Core Strategy (2012).

Condition 43 – Temporary surface water drainage for construction compound

Prior to the construction of the temporary compound area as shown in drawing (Ref OWIL01-ENG-ZZ-00-DRC-3000) Rev P4 details of the temporary surface water drainage scheme ensure the discharge rates are restricted to 5 l/s shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved details of the temporary sustainable drainage scheme shall be implemented prior to first use. All hard surfacing, impermeable area and temporary works shall be fully removed and the area restored within 3 months of first occupation of the development.

Reason: To ensure that the development achieves a high standard of sustainability and does not increase the risk of surface water flooding within the locality in accordance with Policies CS9 and CS16 of the Woking Core Strategy (2012) and the provisions of the NPPF].

The Planning Committee considered an application for the erection of 48 units on an Independent Living Scheme, which would comprise of 45 one bedroom units and 3 two  bedroom units, including a communal kitchen, living room, dining room and salon facilities. This would include  mobility scooter charging ports, staff break out areas and offices, including associated bin storage, access, parking and landscaping.

The development was believed to meet specific accommodation needs provided for age-restricted 55 year olds and over.  It had been highlighted that the facility would not offer 24hr onsite care facilities.

Ward Councillor, Councillor Morales welcomed the proposal however, concerns were raised on the level of parking provision delivered within the scheme.   It had been discussed that this would result in having an adverse impact to residents of the development including the surrounding neighbours in the area.

Following a query on parking, it was confirmed that a Transport Statement (TS) had been submitted which set out that sheltered/supported housing sites had been selected from the TRICS database and that a review of the parking accumulation information supplied for the TRICS database sites suggested that parking provision of between 0.24 and 0.43 spaces per unit would be acceptable for a sheltered housing land use.

Whilst recognising the essential need for the proposed supported accommodation, Members were adamant the proposal did not meet the SPD Parking Standards and for this reason they were not inclined to approve the application.  Some Members felt the Committee should not set precedent by not following the guidelines as set out in the SPD.

Councillor Morales proposed and it was duly seconded by Councillor Boote to refuse the application on the grounds of parking which was thought did not comply with the SPD Parking Standard.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the votes were recorded as follows:

In favour:                                 Cllrs Aziz, Boote, Elson, Hussain and Morales

                                                TOTAL:  5

Against:                                   Cllr Ashall

                                                TOTAL:  1

Present but not voting:            Cllr Chrystie (Chairman)

                                                TOTAL:  1

The application was therefore refused.

            RESOLVED

            That the application be refused.