MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT 7.15PM ON 16th MARCH 2020 IN THE UPPER ROOM, LANCASTER HALL
Present: Cllr G Esteves (Chair), Cllr A Beames, Cllr Brooker, Cllr J Manktelow, and Debbie Hurdle (Clerk)
Also present: Borough Councillor P Sheard and three members of the public
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr P Oven
2. Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3. Minutes
The Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 2nd March 2020 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
4. Planning applications responses:
19/P/01003 Land to the north of Heath Drive
Outline planning application for 29 residential dwellings including means of access, layout and scale (appearance and landscaping to be reserved)
Agreed response:- Objection
Send Parish Council objects strongly to this application.
• The Guildford Local Plan details the housing needs in the borough until 2034 and this is in addition to those numbers. There is no identified additional need for these properties.
• The area is subject to flooding with a high water table
• The development is oversized for the size of the plot with insufficient parking provision. There is no off road parking available outside the development
• The access road is narrow and is already used as overspill parking for other developments with insufficient parking e.g. Skene Close and Cartbridge Close. There is no parking available on Send Road
• The development would have a dramatic impact on the surrounding properties and the local neighbourhood, particularly the residents in Heath Drive
• We note that the location of the flats has been moved so that they will now be clearly seen from the Wey Navigation. The bulk of these properties are not in keeping with the surrounding area.
• The Transport survey seems absurd. The proposed development of 29 households would mean at least 29 additional journeys especially with such limited public transport services available. If the local school is full there would be more journeys by car to schools further away.
• There is great concern about the loss of green space. This is the last parcel of land left between the Cartbridge and the Vision Engineering site and the wildlife is being squeezed out.
• As part of the land near the Wey Navigation, abutting the development is designated as a Local Green Space in the emerging Send Neighbourhood Development Plan (See p23 LG6 Local Green Spaces Report), we remain concerned about the encroachment of the development onto this space and that there will be irreparable long term damage to the flora and fauna. This green space with grass and trees provides an important corridor and habitat for wildlife as well as supporting and improving biodiversity of the local wildlife. It contributes to the beautiful green character of the Parish and visually enhances the built-up area. (See Paragraphs 99-101 of the National Planning Policy Framework setting out what a Local Green Space is and the criteria that it must meet).
• The impact on the wildlife is of great concern including the bat population.
• There has been historical use of the site and there are well-trodden footpaths. It is regularly used by local children with dens and bike jumps in evidence.
• There are no signs which indicate that the land is private and never have been.
• The designated riverbank would soon become overgrown and there is no detail on who would look after it and take on the burden of maintenance. This is proposed within the Wey Navigation Conservation corridor. There would also be a loss of view of the woodland from the towpath on the opposite side of the navigation.
• The developer has agreed to remove the Japanese Knotweed and we seek assurance that this would be carried out and the area would continue to be maintained. The Himalayan Balsam is also prolific in the area
20/P/00294 Hill Croft, Vicarage Lane
Erection of a detached car storage barn/garage
Agreed response:- No comments
20/P/000267 Trackspeed House, Portsmouth Road
Internal and external alterations to existing car sales showroom
Agreed response:- No comment
20/P/000268 Trackspeed House, Portsmouth Road
Advertising consent for the replacement fascia signs and installation of new wayfinder sign (against building) and new totem sign adjacent entrance
Agreed response:- No comment
20/P/00408 114 Potters Lane
Erection of a first floor rear extension including Juliet balconies and changes to fenestration Agreed response:- No comment
5. Other applications received after the agenda had been prepared
20/P/00432 8 Sanger Drive
Proposed rear conservatory
Agreed response:- No comment
20/P/00420 Oak Trees, Clandon Road
Detached ancillary annexe outbuilding
Agreed response:- To be discussed at the next meeting
6. To receive an update of previous applications:-
19/P/02245 2 Tannery House, Tannery Lane – change of use from Class B8 to Class D2 APPROVED
20/P/00017 5 Birnam Close – erection of first floor rear extension and front porch canopy APPROVED
19/P/01577 22A Send Barns Lane – outline permission for 10 units &new access & junction arrangement APPROVED
20/P/00124 Weylands, 7 Send Road – first floor extension and render brick walls APPROVED
8. Date of the next Planning Committee
The next Planning Committee meeting will be on Monday 6th April 2020 at 7.15pm
The meeting closed at 7.35pm