Shrewsbury & Atcham
Borough Council

PRESENT: Councillors Adams, Armstrong, Brennand, Mrs. Chebsey* Clarke*, Farmer*, Fox*, Mrs Holyoak, J.P. Jones*, Lord, Mrs. Owen*, Richey, Roberts*, Sambrook*, J.M. Williams.

(* denotes attendance at site visit.)

MINUTES: 2^nd July 2002 – confirmed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE/NOTIFICATION OF SUBSTITUTES: Councillors Bebb, Moore, Wagner (Councillor Richey was present as his substitute) S Williams (Councillor Adams was present as his substitute).

01/03 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

That Councillor Bebb be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the period until the annual meeting of Council in June 2004.

02/03 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Brennand be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the period until the annual meeting of Council in June 2004.

(In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor Brennand took the chair for this item).

Consideration was given to a report by the Development Control Manager in respect of a reference from the Development Control and Environmental Protection Committee held on 29^th July 2003 in relation to an application for the erection of 6 affordable and 12 open market dwellings including siting and means of access, following demolition of existing derelict farm house and barns at New House Farm Site, Bomere Heath.

Members of the Development Control and Environmental Protection Committee had recommended that the application be approved, which constituted a significant departure from the development plan and, in accordance with the planning procedure adopted by the Council, the matter would be referred to the Planning Committee for determination.

Mr Finney spoke in favour of the application. In accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking on planning applications, the applicant was not permitted to speak.

The Chairman referred to a late letter that had been received by the applicant amending the scheme to provide 9 affordable housing units and 9 open market dwellings, as detailed in the schedule of late letters that was circulated at the meeting.

The proposal had been advertised as a departure from the Development Plan.

Members had visited the site.

That planning permission for the following application be approved subject to appropriate conditions and a S106 legal agreement covering the provision of the affordable housing in accordance with the Council’s policy.

"New House Farm Site, Merrington Road, Bomere Heath – Outline application for the erection of 9 affordable and 9 open market dwellings including siting and means of access following demolition of existing derelict farm house and barns (03/0856/O)."

In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, it was considered that the proposals were acceptable as they met the majority of the requirements of Policy HS7 of the Borough Local Plan and that there was a need for affordable accommodation within the area.

Members of the Planning Committee determined that the application be approved contrary to Officer advice for the reason stated above.

5.30 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.