Agenda item

Hempstead and Wigmore Ward

Construction of 88 dwellings (including 25% affordable) together with associated parking, access, open space, landscaping and SuDS.

Discussion:

The Principal Planner outlined the application in detail for the construction of 88 dwellings (including 25% affordable) together with associated parking, access, open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage systems (SUDs).

The Principal Planner brought Members’ attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet which included a representation from Redrow Homes.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Lawrence addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor and outlined the following points:

• There were insufficient parking spaces provided within the development.  With more vehicles travelling to and from work and visiting Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, it would be a car dominated development.   
• With no gas on site and electric heat pumps provided for each unit, he considered the electric heat pumps were ineffective and would have a negative impact on the residents. 
• S106 contributions – could the contribution for primary schools go specifically to Hempstead Infant and Junior School, Fairview Community Primary School and Bredhurst Primary School.  Could some of the £100,000 contribution for upgrading the cycle / pedestrian footpaths on Hoath Way go towards installing cycle stores at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre to encourage young people to safely use their bicycles.
• Increased traffic through Bredhurst, Lidsing and Wigmore Road.   During construction what was the plan for managing construction traffic, how would they get from the motorway or would they go through Boxley.  A management plan to be provided to protect residents. 
• Maintaining the rights of way, could a service charge be introduced to residents so that the associated costs do not become the responsibility of the council.

The Committee discussed the application in detail and had concerns with the parking for the development and road safety at Hempstead Valley roundabout and queried whether the roundabout could be traffic lighted. 

The Principal Planner confirmed that although there were only 2 air quality monitors in Medway: 1 in Chatham and 1 near Maidstone, the Environmental Protection Team assessed the Air Quality Assessment submitted and deemed the development satisfactory.

The Principal Planner confirmed that additional pedestrian lighting was proposed underneath the bridge.

The Chief Planning Officer explained to Members that the developer had anticipated future building regulations when gas would not be available, hence the installation of electric heat pumps and he had assessed the noise of the heat pumps, and he deemed the noise impact acceptable.

Members agreed for the Chief Planning Officer to review the S106 contribution for Hoath Way and he would discuss the changes with the relevant Ward Councillors.

Decision:                                            

Approved subject to:

A.             The applicant entering into a legal agreement under the terms of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the following contributions:

i)               £21,560 to assist with development of new square/civic space in Rainham Precinct Shopping Centre and improvements to the Shopping Centre and town centre gateways.

ii)             £239,064.32 to enhance open space facilities within the vicinity of the development.

iii)            £16,328.40 to improve equipment and facilities at Hempstead

library and/or Wigmore Library.

iv)            £18,116.56 towards enhancement and/or expansion of community facilities which will serve the new residents of the development.

v)              £17,108.96 for the provision, improvement and promotion of waste and recycling services to cover the impact of the development.

vi)            £504,521.28 toward mitigating the impact of the additional pupils generated by the development comprising.

·                Nursery - £109,436.21

·                Primary - £177,427.78

·                Secondary - £213,612.22

·                Sixth Form - £4,045.07

vii)           £24,072.40 to support the creation of a new swimming gala timing system and improved facility for club and community users at Medway Park.

viii)          £100,000 for the upgrading of the existing shared cycle/ pedestrian footpath on Hoath Way. Improvements include widening and resurfacing.

ix)            £13,200 for the provision of travel vouchers to be issued to each dwelling to the value of £150 per voucher per dwelling.

x)              £62,520.48 to support the creation of additional capacity in

Primary Care premises as a result of the increase in housing and resulting patient registrations.

xi)            £7743.12 to support youth development in the Wigmore and Rainham Area.

xii)           £36,000 to mitigate against the extra footfall on PROW GB40. Contribution to be ring fenced to fund its future maintenance.

xiii)          £24,277.44 towards Designated Habitats Mitigation.

xiv)         25% of all housing to be provided as affordable housing.

B.             The imposition of conditions 1 to 33 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.