Agenda item

Strood Rural

Demolition of existing structures and construction of 68 dwellings, associated car parking, landscaping, access, a sub station and groundworks including changes to levels and construction of retaining walls. 

Discussion:

The Planner outlined the planning application and advised the Committee that since despatch of the agenda, one further letter of objection had been received and further representations had been received from Sport England and Kent County Council Biodiversity. Details of these representations were set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet along with Officer’s comments.

It was suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve this application, a new condition 20 be approved.

The Committee discussed the application and referred in particular to the provisions of the proposed Section 106 agreement. Members expressed a preference for some of the funding to be directed locally via Frindsbury Extra Parish Council for instance to meet costs associated with the upkeep of the village hall.

Attention was also drawn to a correction to the wording of element 9 of the proposed Section 106 agreement in that the word ‘house’ should read ‘housing’.

The Principal Transport Planner reassured the Committee that the existing access to the site will be widened and that the site could accommodate two way traffic and was of a sufficient size to accommodate refuse vehicles.

Decision:  

Approved subject to

A)        the applicant entering into an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act to secure:

i)          A contribution of £149,768 towards the improvement and maintenance of outdoor play areas. Part of the contribution towards the improvement and maintenance of outdoor play areas, figure to be agreed, to be spent on improved community facilities in agreement with Frindsbury Extra Parish Council,

ii)         A contribution of £8,496.60 towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Great Lines Heritage Park

iii)        A contribution of £273,416.80 towards the costs of new school places in the development catchment area to meet the demands which result from the development

iv)        A contribution of £9,296.28 towards the creation (or upgrade) of youth, community, library and museum provisions

v)         A contribution of £13,600 towards the improvement of local labour opportunities

vi)        A contribution of £31,820.60 towards the investment in local GP practice premises, to support an demands placed by new residents,

vii)       A contribution of £11,213.88 to provide brown bins, reusable bags and waste information leaflets to the new dwellings, to provide new litter bins within the vicinity and to contribute towards a new compactor at Cuxton Household Waste Recover Centre

viii)      A contribution of £16,660 towards public realm improvements in Strood Town Centre

ix)            25% affordable housing

B)                Conditions 1 – 19 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and condition 20 as follows:

20)      No development shall take place (including any demolition, ground works, site clearance) until a method statement for the protection of bats and nesting birds during building demolition tree and shrub works has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The content of the method statement shall include the:

a) Purpose and objectives for the proposed works;

b) Extent and location of sensitive areas and proposed works shown on appropriate scale maps and plans;

c) Detailed design(s) and/or working method(s) necessary to achieve stated objectives;

d) Timetable for implementation, demonstrating that works are aligned with the proposed phasing of construction;

e) Persons responsible for implementing the works;

The works shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To secure the habitats of bats and nesting birds, in accordance with Policies BNE37 and BNE39 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.