Agenda item

Exmo_50 Exmouth Police Station

Proposed use: Housing and redeveloped police station

Number of dwellings: 20

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

A statement was read out on behalf of ESCAPE (End Sewage Convoys and Pollution in Exmouth) on this site, but was also applicable to all other sites that would feed wastewater to Maer Lane treatment works.  The statement covered the increase in population growth in the area, along with the current over-capacity on the current treatment works and the repeated failure of the sewer infrastructure.  ESCAPE therefore recommended that planning development is refused until South West Water carried out a full review, led by an independent expert, to lead to the production and delivery of a fit for purpose sewage infrastructure.

 

Officers advised the committee that there was continued engagement with South West Water, and they were very aware of the issues.  The committee were charged with consideration of allocation of sites at this stage, and not conditions on planning applications.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Davey and seconded by Cllr B Bailey.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_50 in the site allocation.

 

Exmo_03 land at bottom of Bampton Lane

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 5

Officer recommendation: Not for allocation

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Exmo_23 Courtlands Barn, Courtlands Lane

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 12

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Ward Member Councillor Tim Dumper spoke against the allocation on the grounds of the site being in the coastal protection area, and if developed would result in coalescence of Exmouth and Lympstone which was not supported by local residents.

 

Committee debated the poor access issues and the opposition locally to the site.

A proposal to move onto the next site failed.

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Howe and seconded by Cllr Hayward.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_23 in the site allocation.

 

Lymp_07 Land at Courtlands Cross, Exeter Road, Lympstone

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 100

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Susie Culhane spoke in objection to the allocation, citing reasons of green wedge, and historical refusal of a planning application. She outlined some of the characteristics of the site and expressed concern of the single track access, as well as the lack of suitable water treatment system

 

Helen Dimond reminded the committee of the view of the Planning Inspector in 2012 and felt that to remove the green wedge between the settlements was not appropriate.

 

Susan Francis from Lympstone Parish Council outlined their concerns regarding the ecological impact and the risk of coalescence.

 

The committee discussed other reasons for not including the site, including the proximity of a grade 1 listed wall and the impact on Lympstone Manor.  Officers confirmed that the site was sensitive but could still be put forward as an allocation site with further work on mitigation of adverse impacts.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Lymp_12 Land fronting A376 and Summer Lane

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 14

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Lymp_08 Land off Summer Lane, Exmouth

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 174

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Susie Culhane spoke in objection to the allocation, citing reasons of greed wedge, and the need for a robust water treatment system.

 

Elements discussed by the Committee included future plans for a cycle route on the current access, which would be difficult to achieve.  Other members felt it could work and should be included.

A proposal for inclusion of the site failed.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Exmo_04 Land at Marley Drive, Lympstone

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 50

Officer recommendation: Allocate     

 

Andrew Roberts spoke against the allocation of this and related sites Lymp_09 and Lymp_10a on the grounds that these were green field sites, adverse impact on the brook, ponds and existing oaks on site, and risk of coalescence.  Access to Lump_09 was not acceptable and the site would adversely impact on historic woodlands. There was also no pedestrian access on the road relating to site Lymp_10a. He asked the committee to take account of the views of both residents and the local councils as he felt those had been ignored.

 

Ward Member Maddy Chapman rejected the allocation on the grounds of the impact on wildlife and the natural watercourses. She referenced a rejection from Natural England.

 

Committee members raised issues of the adverse impact on other natural areas including the Pebblebed heaths, and that the access was not sustainable.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Lymp_09 Land fronting Hulham Road

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 54

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Helen Dimond spoke against the allocation for reasons of flood risk, whereby water currently drained into the site leading to flashing run off to the village.  Any development will only exacerbate this problem.

 

Susan Francis representing Lympstone Parish Council also raised flood risks as outlined by the previous speaker, as well as the impact of increased traffic, unsuitable pavements and too remote from facilities, making the site unsustainable.

 

The committee discussed the previous discounting of the site and questioned adding it now as an allocation, Others referenced the need to deal with issues such as flood alleviation and traffic as part of the planning application process.

 

A proposal for including the site in the allocation failed.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Lymp_10 (a & b) land off Hulham Road, Lympstone

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 100

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Andrew Roberts spoke against the allocation, outlining the lack of pedestrian access.

 

Susan Francis, representing Lympstone Parish Council, made reference to some of report detail that stated that sections of the site were remote and therefore too remote for dwellings.

 

Committee discussed aspects that could be resolved as part of the planning application process.  Others raised aspects that they felt were not sustainable for the site, including distance to reach local shops.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Lymp_14 Coles Field, Hulham Road

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 59

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Andrew Roberts spoke against the allocation, outlining the increased traffic in the area if developed, along with a planned industrial estate nearby.  This would lead to unacceptable danger around the primary school site. Brixington facilities were also limited, making this site unsustainable.

 

Susan Francis of Lympstone Parish Council informed the committee that they had already been approached by the developer but objected to the site, due to the location in countryside, and being isolated from the village.  She also explained issues of impact on wildlife, pedestrian safety and poor access.

 

Simon Collier, representing Eagle Investments Ltd spoke in support of the allocation and explained where access would be along the western boundary of the adjacent development.

 

The committee discussed the need to resolve the access and the potential for a cycle route to link up to Dinan Way.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Howe and seconded by Cllr Levine.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Lymp_14 in the site allocation.

 

Lymp_13 Kings Garden Centre, Higher Hulham Road

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 25

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Lymp_17 Land at Marley House

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 80

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Exmo_07 Bystock Court, Old Bystock Drive

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 40

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Ward Member Maddy Chapman outlined reasons for not including the site.

 

The committee agreed with the officer recommendation not to allocate the site for reasons set out in the report.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Exmo_21 Land east of Bystock Court

Proposed use: Housing

Number of dwellings: 40

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Ward Member Maddy Chapman outlined reasons for not including the site.

 

The committee agreed with the officer recommendation not to allocate the site for reasons set out in the report.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Exmo_20a Land at St Johns, Exmouth

Proposed use: Housing development; if developed other uses

Number of dwellings: 550

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Simon Collier representing Eagle Investments Ltd advised committee that the site was available and could open up access to woodland. He outlined the scale and type of development that could occupy the site of this size.

 

Ward Member Councillor Matt Hall stated that there were a number of issues with the site, including the ecology, and the poor access, making the site unsustainable.  Due to the size of the site and expected homes, this would result in considerable impact on already stretched services in the area. He spoke of the “golden triangle” of land expansion in the area but felt that this site alone was too small to attract the necessary scale of s106 monies needed to support such growth.

 

The committee were reminded that more analysis of the site was required, particularly on reservations about the access to the site, although if taken into account along with Exmo_20b this may offer an improved means of access.  Committee debated the need to carefully consider access and by mindful of St Johns In the Wilderness in that area.

 

Inclusion for allocation, against officer recommendation, was proposed by Cllr Ingham and seconded by Cllr Jung.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_20 in the site allocation.

 

Exmo_20b Land North of Liverton Business Park

Proposed use: Housing development

Number of dwellings: 150

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Simon Collier representing Eagle Investments Ltd advised committee that the site was available and of a suitable size for rapid delivery. It was well connected in the landscape with minimal visual impact, with access at the western boundary and close to services and bus routes.

 

Ward Member Councillor Matt Hall stated that this site alone could not be supported as it would not deliver enough s106 monies to support infrastructure. He asked the committee to look at the wider picture, not at individual small sites.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Ingham and seconded by Cllr B Bailey.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_20b in the site allocation.

 

 

Exmo_24 Land to the North of Salterton Road

Proposed use: Mixed use

Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

 

Clare James, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, spoke of ongoing engagement with the Council.  She felt that the site was sustainable and in a good location on a transport corridor.

 

Ward Member Councillor Matt Hall advised that the site did not work as a stand alone site, but could work if part of a masterplan area. He did not feel the site alone was sustainable and was not of a sufficient size to generate s106 monies.

 

The Chair proposed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

 

Exmo_18 Land directly to the East of Liverton Business Park

Proposed use: 2.8 hectares of employment land

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Clare James, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, spoke in support of including the site for allocation. She spoke on the high demand for employment use land, with a good connection to the neighbouring business park.

 

Ward Member Councillor Matt Hall, advised that he supported the site for employment use due to the need for local jobs. He felt it was key to link with the County Council to make a request for a junction onto the road; and that the Dinan Way improvements go ahead as planned.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Jung and seconded by Cllr H Parr.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_18 in the site allocation.

 

Exmo_17 Land to the South of Littleham

Proposed use: Mixed use development

Number of dwellings: 410

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Roger Gibson advised the committee that to include this site would not preserve the natural landscape as set out in the 2016 Exmouth neighbourhood plan.  It would lead to a loss of productive farmland, wildlife habitat and more pressure on local services. He suggested other sites that could offer affordable apartments should be considered instead.

 

Clare James, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, spoke in support of including the site for allocation. She outlined the feasibility study undertaken, and the detailed design would incorporate an element of affordable housing, as well as employment land and an improvement to the local junction to Liverton Business Park.

 

Ward Member Councillor Nick Hookway, spoke against the inclusion of the site, advising that this would set a dangerous precedent for other development. He advised the committee of the topography of the site, being prominently visible due to its height and exposed location.

 

Ward Member Councillor Anne Hall advised that as the site was classified in the national landscape, it was contrary to the NPPF.  Public consultation on the coastal protection area to include this site in that protection received strong public support.

 

The Committee were reminded that classification of being a National Landscape was the highest designation for a site, and the site was only recommended with the greatest reluctance.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Davey and seconded by Cllr Ingham.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_17 in the site allocation.

 

Exmo_06 Douglas Gardens, Exmouth

Proposed use: Housing development

Number of dwellings: 44

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Clare James, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, spoke in support of the site, which had a resolution to grant planning in 2003.

 

Ward Member Councillor Anne Hall, advised that the site would not deliver the type of housing needed by the local community.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Jung and seconded by Cllr Howe.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_06 in the site allocation.

 

Exmo_08 Littleham Fields, Exmouth

Proposed use: Housing development

Number of dwellings: 40

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Clare James, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, spoke in support of including the site for allocation. She outlined the scoping undertaken, including access to the site through the neighbouring new development.

 

Ward Member Councillor Anne Hall, advised that the site was a bolt on to the neighbouring new development, and that it offered no additional facilities.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Howe and seconded by Cllr B Bailey.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_08 in the site allocation.

 

 

Exmo_16 Land to the rear of Elm Lane

Proposed use: Housing development

Number of dwellings: 5

Officer recommendation: Allocate

 

Clare James, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, spoke in support of including the site for allocation. She cited grounds of the sustainable location and that it should be considered as an in-fill site.

 

Ward Member Councillor Anne Hall, spoke against including the site for allocation.  Mitigating measures were required for the Flood Zone 3 site, and amenities were not within walking distance.

 

Inclusion for allocation was proposed by Cllr Howe and seconded by Cllr B Bailey.

 

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Exmo_16 in the site allocation.