Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillors Brian Bolt and Brian Smedley.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

The following Councillors declared interests as below:

Councillor Alan Bradford declared an other registrable interest as he is a member of North Petherton Town Council, is a trustee of Wilstock Hub and although he had made comment  on these applications, he declared he had an open mind and not made any decision.

Councillors Bob Filmer, Alistair Hendry, Alan Bradford and Hilary Bruce all declared an other registrable interest as they were members of an Internal Drainage Board but took no part in discussions on these applications.

Councillors Kathy Pearce and Gill Slocombe all declared an other registerable interest as they were members of Bridgwater Town Council (neighbouring council) but took no part in any discussions on these applications.

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker.

Requests to speak at the meeting at Public Question Time must be made to the Monitoring Officer in writing or by email to democraticservicesteam@somerset.gov.uk  by 5pm on day, date, year – usually Weds before.

Details of public speaking are captured under the minutes of the appropriate application.

To consider an application for a hybrid planning application (Outline and Full), Outline planning application with some matters reserved for the erection of 15no. dwellings, including green infrastructure, drainage and other associated infrastructure works. Full planning application for the erection of 346no. dwellings, including green infrastructure, drainage and other associated infrastructure works (Phase 2).

Resolved:

That planning application 37/22/00071 Bridgwater Gateway Development, Bridgwater Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset for a Hybrid planning application (Outline and Full), Outline planning application with some matters reserved for the erection of 15no. dwellings, including green infrastructure, drainage and other associated infrastructure works. Full planning application for the erection of 346no. dwellings, including green infrastructure, drainage and other associated infrastructure works (Phase 2) was APPROVED with the applicant entering into a S106 Agreement and conditions as detailed within the report with the NHS contribution to be directed for North Petherton or Bridgwater GP surgeries and for the 51 Affordable Housing to be delivered on this site to be local lettings.

The committee were reminded by the Chair of the committee that if they wished to discuss anything contained within the Viability Report, they must agree to go into confidential session as the report information was deemed to be commercially sensitive.

The planning officer introduced the application to the committee with the aid of a power point presentation. he provided the following updates to their written report:

·       The proposed access would be used for both applications,

·       A late comment had been received from a local resident commenting that Stockmoor and surrounds were still being built out, there were not enough school or medical facilities for the population in the area, increased traffic leading to further issues and impact on wildlife in the area.

·       The roads on the business park were not adopted but it had been confirmed that they had been constructed ready for adoption if necessary.

·       The Education department had also provided a late comment, explaining that the applications would put pressure on places at various age levels and it was explained that a bid could be made to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to cover these places.

The committee were addressed by the Division member for 6 minutes as he was speaking on both applications and the comments related the 2 applications. Their comments included the site was allocated within the Local Plan, however the sites was a 27% increase to allocated numbers. They had concerns as there was no community use or shop in the plans with the nearest retail outlet being in Stockmoor. It was also noted that they considered that the contributions to the Education department and NHS should be secured by condition for North Petherton. Disappointment was expressed due to the reduced amount of affordable housing and he also requested that these dwellings be conditioned for local occupancy, he also requested that the roads be adopted especially in light of the issues with Wilstock and Stockmoor estates nearby.

The agent then spoke on the application, explaining that having consulted with local residents and officers, this application had been amended to reflect the concerns raised. The intension was for the roads to be adopted and the design of the properties were of a modular construction with the site being landscaped and with green areas. The topography of the site was challenging and CIL was costly therefore this had led to the reduction of the affordable housing but the S106 agreement had an uplift clause.

In response to points raised during the public speaking, the committee were informed of the following:

That condition 19 related to the technical details for the use of the highways which would ensure that the roads were of an adoptable standard

Monies for the GP surgeries could be allocated within the S106 agreement

The affordable housing had been assessed independently and accepted by the Affordable Housing manager but an uplift clause had been added to the S106 agreement

It was difficult to tie the education contributions to a specific school as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

To consider an application for the erection of 150no. dwellings including access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works.

Resolved:

That planning application 37/22/00126 Bridgwater Gateway Development, Bridgwater Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 for the erection of 150no. dwellings including access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works was APPROVED with the applicant entering into a S106 Agreement and with conditions as detailed within the report with the additional resolution for the NHS contributions be directed to GP surgeries within North Petherton or Bridgwater.

The planning officer presented the application with the assistance of a power point presentation. He provided the following updates to his written report:

Education funding through CIL

Access arrangements will be through the previous Boklok application

Open space and play areas will be provided

Varied materials to be used with a traditional design to the dwellings

Confirmation that as per the viability report attached to these applications, there will be no affordable housing on this site with 10% being provided on the adjacent site.

The committee heard from a member of the public whose comments related to both applications. His comments focussed on creating “corridors” within Bridgwater and surrounds and Active Travel. It was requested that foot/cycle paths should be 3 meters wide so all can use them. The path should connect to Wilstock Way and will link to The Meads and into Bridgwater.

The committee then heard from the agent who commented that the development was a mixed application of flats and house types and sizes, with allocated parking. The site will include biodiversity, climate change and landscaping/open space. Materials will match local properties and access will be via the Boklok development, with affordable housing being delivered on that site but there is an uplift clause with this application.

During discussion on the application, the committee members requested confirmation that the contributions for NHS and education be ring fenced as the previous application to ensure local contributions to North Petherton and Bridgwater for the NHS and the new Wilstock school for the Education contributions.

The Chair requested that a report on viability and uplifts on various developments within the district to come to a meeting in the near future.

Councillor Alistair Hendry proposed that the application be approved with the additional wording relating to NHS contributions and this proposal was seconded by Councillor Gill Slocombe.

Resolved:

That planning application 37/22/00126 Bridgwater Gateway Development, Bridgwater Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 for the erection of 150no. dwellings including access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works was APPROVED with the applicant entering into a S106 Agreement and with conditions as detailed within the report with the additional resolution for the NHS contributions be directed to GP surgeries within North Petherton or Bridgwater.

Unanimous

Viability Report covering both applications for Bridgwater Gateway – Contains confidential data – For Members only.

Confidential Report for information for Councillors.