Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

**Please note:  The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 August 2023 are to follow. 

The Committee were advised of a typographical error in minute reference 137, the word odor be corrected to odour.

Resolved: That, subject to the amendments above, the Minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee of 15 August 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive communications from the Chair.

Thanks were extended to Councillor Parker for acting as chair to the Strategic Planning Committee for three months.

A welcome was extended to the Highways Officers in attendance.

Approved subject to conditions

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the information in the report and provided a presentation which included maps, plans, site layout and photographs to provide contextual information.

The Development Management Manager outlined the information in the written updates:

Amendments to the report included:

·     Submitted plan omitted from list of drawings: New Roundabout Access from Roman Road and Northern Side Footpath Along - 332210790_700_001 A - Pavement and Paved Areas Sheet 1 of 2.pdf

·     Condition 5 CEMP – Remove reference to Section 5 of the submitted Environmental Statement

·     The applicants had advised that where Paragraph7.3 suggested land in their control could deliver 500-600 dwellings that this was higher than was likely. That the forthcoming application would likely be for up to 450 dwellings.

In response to a late representation submitted it was considered that the infrastructure proposed would not significantly increase traffic flow. A full Transport Assessment would be carried out when an Outline application for the Davidsons site was presented.

Officers had considered the applicants request to omit conditions and exclude the requirement for a S.106 agreement.  On balance, it was considered that a S.278 agreement would not fully cover any of the matters referred to in the planning conditions and that the development could not be looked at in isolation to the development of the wider SUE.

In response to members questions the Development Management Manager confirmed the applicant was Davidson Homes and that officers had welcomed the infrastructure application in advance of the development application.

Paul Waterfield, the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application and outlined the design and delivery of the application and the connectivity with proposed neighbouring sites.

In responses to members questions the applicant added:

·     Provision would need to be made in a legal agreement to ensure connectivity of new and existing footpaths and the existing bridleway.  The cycle way would connect to Sandy Lane cycle network.

·     The S.278 agreement could address concerns regarding segregation of the footpath/cycleway, speed restriction of 30mph, and lighting at crossing points.  Road safety audits would take place within the S.278 process, addressing issues relating to pedestrian safety and road safety.

·     The biodiversity net loss on the infrastructure application would be taken into consideration and mitigation included within the future Outline application expected in relation to the related proposed housing development.

·     Roman Road does not currently have parking restrictions

·     The importance of the site as a gateway into Northampton was acknowledged.

In response to members questions, the Development Management Engineer Highways further advised:

·     Temporary road works during the development would impact vehicle speeds.  A reduction to the speed limit would be required on completion of the scheme.

·     Car parking restrictions would be taken into consideration and conditioned when a detailed application was received for the adjacent development site.

·     Preliminary design had been through a first stage road safety audit.  The second stage audit would be undertaken when a detailed design had been provided.

·     A number of matters raised by the committee including pedestrian safety and road  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142.