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.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 November 2023 and **11 December 2023.

* **Please note: The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 December 2023 are to follow.

That, the Minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee of 21 November 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

That, the Minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee of 11 December 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Approved subject to conditions.

The Committee considered the demolition of the existing buildings and erection of a three storey SEND school building and supporting infrastructure which includes a new access arrangement, car parking area, surface water attenuation basin, landscaping, sports facilities (Tarmac Outdoor Physical Education Area – TOPEA), new substation and renewable energy installations.

The Major Projects Officer outlined the information in the report and the late representations and provided a presentation which included location maps, site plans, site layout, building elevations, highways access and photographs from various viewpoints to provide contextual information.

Councillor Gonzalez de Savage arrived at 14.08, during the officer’s presentation, and offered his apologies.

The Development Management Manager provided further clarification to complement the Major Project Officer’s presentation:

·       Material planning considerations for the application - the St. John, Tiffield site would address the need for SEND provision in the former South Northamptonshire area; reduce journey times for children; reduce the Council’s home to school transport costs; and would meet the statutory obligations of the council

·       Identified the roads for consideration and distinguished the jurisdiction between the National Highways Agency and West Northamptonshire Council

·       Highways impacts and highways safety – the increase of traffic to the development was considered to have no measurable influence on the flow of traffic or the junction of the A43 and St. Johns Road

·       The National Highways Agency had initially objected to the application. The applicant had subsequently produced a detailed rebuttal and addressed the National Highways Agency concerns.  The highways objection to the application had been withdrawn

·       Minibuses would be the primary access for people to the site, they would have a staggered start and finish time which would be varied to the adjacent Gateway school.  Access conditions were included in the Travel Plan and the Park Management Strategy

Penny German addressed the Committee and advised that, whilst in principle supported the application for the SEND school, would raise concerns regarding;

·       Traffic safety issues on the A43 crossing

·       The proposed routing of additional traffic

·       Requirement for a safe Travel Plan

·       Impact of the number of vehicle movements on local villages and the resulting safety concerns

·       Concern regarding the basis of the statics quoted for vehicle movements

·       Arrival and Departure times of the new SEND school conflicting with other local schools and the impact of traffic movements on the local highways network.

·       Mitigation of the safety risk and impact on village residents not considered during roadworks on the A43

·       That the Traffic Plan did not take into account the additional traffic from the proposed employment development sites on the A43 at Bell Plantation

Councillor Laura Cook, Tiffield Parish Council, and advised that, whilst in principle supported the application for the SEND school, would raise concerns regarding;

·       Nationally recognised traffic models did not take into consideration local knowledge, daily experience and driver behaviours. 

·       Accidents and near misses were regularly witnessed by locals on the A43 junction

·       Proposed developments along the A43 would increase the volume of traffic and road safety risks.  The proposed development for DHL predicted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

At the Strategic Planning Committee held on 21 November 2023, the Committee had identified an Action Point during their discussions in relation to Application WNN/2022/1391 Dallington Grange, Mill Lane, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN5 7PZ:

The Committee would like the delivery of affordable housing within the SUE to be actioned at the earliest opportunity. That the Chair to communicate the panels concerns to the Executive with a view to changing how the residents are being accommodated within West Northamptonshire. And to provide a response to Committee.

The Chair provided information from Stuart Timmis, Executive Director, Place and Economy, that discussions were taking place with Persimmon Homes with a view to bringing the development forward and the Committee would be updated when information was available.