Agenda item

Report DCL/18/14 - Outline planning application for the erection of up to 117 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access from Ashford Road.  All matters reserved except for means of access.

Report DCL/18/14 - Outline planning application for the erection of up to

117 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable urban

drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access from Ashford Road. All

matters reserved except for means of access.

Pauline Reynolds, local resident spoke against the application. As a member of the Rolfe Lane residents association she informed that the development does not conform to the Core Strategy policy CSD8 for New Romney and is unacceptable due to the lack of spine road and the impact on junctions and roads in an area already congested.

She informed that the bus service to this area is unacceptable due to the lack of routes to Ashford Hospital and other towns and any additional traffic movement in the area would make it extremely difficult and dangerous for residents. A build-up of traffic would be felt in Rolfe Lane and Fairfield Road.

Members discussed the application and raised a number of issues, mainly those highlighted below:

·         Lack of spine road and connectivity to neighbouring development;

·         S106 monies and how much will be provided;

·         Traffic calming measures proposed inadequate;

·         Public transport is already poor in the area so contrary to saved policy TR2 – provision for buses in major developments;

·         Protection of the countryside;

·         Lack of infrastructure – this should be in place before any new development is considered;

·         Ashford Road turning point is too busy now and would become a danger to road users;

·         A259 access is already dangerous;

·         Lack of medical facilities – surgeries are already struggling;

·         Healthcare contributions insufficient

·         Core Strategy being ignored;

·         School Contributions - St Nicholas School will miss out with contributions being taken out of New Romney;

·         Highways England should be studying this application in more detail;

·         Emergency access – how will this be managed and is it sufficient;

·         Loss of improvements to playing field for St Nicholas School

Although some changes to the previous application have been made some members did not consider the application should be rejected, particularly not because of a lack of spine road and medical facilities, the second of which is not a planning consideration. 

Officers made it clear that there is an aspiration to have the road connectivity to the other site in the area but this is not currently possible due to the ownership of the land in question. KCC have a lease agreement with the local school and this is a long-term arrangement.

Members noted that affordable housing contributions have been agreed.

Members also noted that all contributions listed within the report have been agreed by the applicant and although the contributions are being sought for Greatstone Primary School this has been raised by officers with KCC and continued conversations will take place if members resolve to grant planning permission.

:

Proposed by Councillor Russell Tillson

Seconded by Councillor Michael Lyons that

planning permission be refused  due to lack of internal link road connectivity to the neighbouring site which is one of the criteria of Core Strategy policy CSD8, the proposal will result in increased traffic congestion on local roads contrary to parts (c) and (g) of policy CSD8, which would be detrimental to the amenity of local residents

Resolved:

That planning permission be refused for the reason set out below, with delegated authority given to the Development Management Manager to finalise the wording:

1.         Due to lack of internal link road connectivity to the neighbouring site which is one of the criteria of Core Strategy policy CSD8, the proposal will result in increased traffic congestion on local roads contrary to parts (c) and (g) of policy CSD8, which would be detrimental to the amenity of local residents

(Voting: For 8; Against 4; Abstentions 0)