Agenda item

Prior to consideration of the application, the following persons addressed the Committee in accordance with Public Speaking Procedure Rules 3(b):

·         Mr Dave Burnett (to object);

·         Cllr Pat Oven (on behalf of Send Parish Council) (to object) and;

·         Mr Thomas Rumble (Agent) (In Support)

The Committee considered the above-mentioned full application for proposed erection of 8 dwellings (C3 use class) with associated access, landscaping and parking, following demolition of Waterside Farm Cottage, outbuildings and Wharf Lane garages.

The Committee received a presentation from Specialist, Development Management Applications Officer, Katie Williams.  The proposed development was identical to that proposed under a previous application, 21/P/01581 which was the subject of a non-determination appeal.  This application was considered by the Planning Committee on 1 December 2021 and the Council’s decision was that it would have approved the application had an appeal against non-determination not been lodged.  The Committee also noted the supplementary late sheets which detailed a correction to the tree report reference.

The application was located within the settlement of Send which had been inset from the Green Belt following the adoption of the 2019 Local Plan.  The site was within the corridor of the River Wey, adjacent to the Wey Navigation Conservation Area and also within the 400 metre to 5-kilometre buffer zone of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.  The site lay outside of flood zones 2 and 3.  The site was currently comprised of a detached bungalow and its outbuildings, together with a small area of parking which was currently owned by the Council.  The surrounding area included residential properties along Wharf Lane and an area of open space called Heathfield Nature Reserve.  A public footpath also ran through to the Wey Navigation.

A new vehicular access was proposed where the existing access to the garages was located and followed the existing hedge line through to a new residential cul-de-sac consisting of semi-detached and detached dwellings.  The housing mix was for 2x2 beds, 4x3 beds and 2x4 beds.  There was a total of 21 parking spaces, three of which would be allocated for visitors.  A parking court was proposed to replace the current garaging replacing the eight garages with eight parking spaces. The existing pedestrian access through to the nature reserve would be retained as well as several mature trees on the site boundaries along with new tree planting.  The development offered opportunities to restore and enhance biodiversity and the applicant had submitted an Ecological Management Plan as part of the application which would aim to offset the proposed loss of trees and hedging.  With enhanced planting and ecological mitigation measures and also a pre-commencement condition recommended the proposed development was considered by planning officers to not result in harm to the nearby Site of Nature Conservation importance which incorporated the Wey Navigation.     

Planning officers had no objection to the principle of development on this site.  The proposal would deliver a net increase of seven new homes in a sustainable location.  The development would not harmfully affect the character or appearance of the

surrounding area including the setting of the adjacent Wey Navigation Conservation Area and would not materially impact on the residential amenities enjoyed by the occupants of the surrounding properties subject to recommended conditions.  There would be no adverse impact on the ecology of the site or surroundings, the development would not give rise to conditions prejudicial to highway safety and wouldn't impact on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (TBHSPA) subject to the conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the necessary SANG and SAMM contributions, the application was deemed to be acceptable.

The Committee discussed the application and whilst sympathetic to the concerns raised by residents, this scheme was identical to the application which the Committee would have approved when considering it at its meeting on 1 December 2021, had it of not been submitted for non-determination.  In addition, it was confirmed by the planning officer that any concerns regarding SUDs had been dealt with by condition 20, as implemented by Surrey County Council who were the Local Lead Flood Authority.  The Committee therefore agreed that the principle of development for this site was acceptable.  The S106 Agreement ensured that the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (TBHSPA) was protected by virtue of the SANG and SAMM contributions secured.

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the application which was carried.

In conclusion, having taken account of the representations received in relation to the application, the Committee

RESOLVED to approve application 21/P/02257 subject:

(i)            That a S106 Agreement be entered into to secure the provision of:

·         SANG and SAMM Contributions in accordance with the formula of the updated tariff.

If the terms of the S106 or wording of the planning conditions are significantly amended as part of ongoing S106 or planning condition(s) negotiations any changes shall be agreed with the Chairman of the Planning Committee and lead Ward Member.

(ii)           That upon completion of the above, the application be determined by the Head of Place.  The preliminary view is that the application should be granted subject to conditions.