Agenda item

Planning application documents

The planning officer introduced the report as published.

There was one public speaker on the item, the agent on behalf of the applicant.

The agent of behalf of the applicant then addressed the committee and made the following points:

-       The proposed development has been in the pipeline for a number of years, having originally obtained consent in November 2021.

-       The scheme was developed through extensive community and officer engagement and received unanimous support from the committee at that time.

-       Since obtaining planning permission in 2021, Cheltenham Borough Homes has successfully implemented planning permission which means it can be completed at any time.

-       Unfortunately, due to significant increases in build costs in the past three years it has become clear that the development as approved has significant viability challenges. The design team have optimised build costs without undermining its quality. The scheme details have been reviewed and identified all opportunities for scheme optimisation have been explored.

-       The changes proposed are relatively minor but cumulatively make a significant impact on anticipated build costs of the development. The proposed changes include - small amendments to the brickwork detailing, admitting bin stores to the rear of the houses, removing rear planters, placing block paving with tarmac in areas away from the public realm, reducing window sizes and amending the design of balconies to the proposed apartments.

-       The proposed changes have been worked through with the planning officers to ensure they do not contradict relevant policies or have impacts deemed unacceptable.

-       The scheme remains focused on achieving high levels of sustainability and the energy strategy for the development remains unchanged. The renewable energy strategy for the site includes a mix of air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint of the development.

-       The proposed development is on a vacant plot in a reasonably prominent site on the junction of Swindon Road it is critical that this is developed to provide high quality affordable housing.

The matter then went to Member questions, the responses were as follows:

-       A landscaping plan for the development had already been agreed and will include trees and planting.

-       From a planning perspective there is not a minimum standard area for a balcony or to even provide one as there is an outside space. The balconies will still provide some amenity to the residents that will have them. There are some regrettable losses although not to the extent that the scheme would be unacceptable.

-       There is significant cost associated with a green or sedum roof due to the planting system required. There will still be a roof on the bike storage as policy requires it to be covered and secure; it will not have green or sedum on top of it.

The matter then went to Member debate where the following points were made:

-       Disappointment was expressed to not have the original application. However, a sustainable development was better than none at all. The planters and the green roof could be retrospectively fitted.

The matter then went to the vote on the officer recommendation to permit:

For: Unanimous