Agenda item

Councillor Olive stepped down from the Chair for this item due to his role as Ward Member.  Councillor Mike Howe took the role of Chair.

A statement was read out on behalf of Whimple Parish Council.

In respect of Whim_11 specifically, the Parish Council advised that the infrastructure of the village is not conducive to additional development; that the village should remain separate from Cranbrook and for no further land between the settlements to be developed.  The statement detailed specifics on the site, including:

·        The site contains a number of mature trees several of which have existing TPOs.  The tree in middle of old cricket pitch is unique, mentioned in Wisden and should be preserved as of historic importance;

·        Site is Woodland Priority Habitat and Woodland Improvement Area, Priority Habitat (woodland and orchard), and a national habitat and network enhancement zone 1;

·        Already subject to (partial) flooding (confirmed by the Environment Agency), and any development would run the risk of adding to this with impact both on the site and further downstream;

·        Unsafe access and no capacity for footpath.

In respect of Whimple more generally, the statement set out that the Parish Council  agreed that none of the other sites considered are suitable for development in Whimple, for reasons of falling into the Whimple Critical Drainage Area; increased flood risk; lack of open space in village; sewerage at capacity; increase in traffic on narrow roads; loss of rural character and loss of historic orchards.

Owners of the land alongside Church Road (exiting the village have indicated that this land would be available for development. While EDDC have rejected this site Whimple Parish Council think that this should be reconsidered as not only would it not add to the congestion in the village but would also enable the creation of a footpath along this road that pedestrians have to use in order to access bus services.

Whim_03 Land to the south of Grove Road
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 72
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_04 Hits Farmhouse, Lilypond Lane
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 21
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_07 Broadclyst Road
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 10
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_08 West of Church Road and Bramley Gardens
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 178
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Simon Coles of Carney Sweeney outlined that the site is within a Tier 4 settlement, was highly sustainable due to the range of services available.  Drainage could be mitigated and the site should be included for allocation.

Ward Member Cllr Olive outlined to the committee the inadequate bus service; and that the site was not connected to the village with a safe pedestrian route.  The site itself was positive for development but the site was in a Critical Drainage Area – a river running through the site.  The site also had part designation for the Clyst Valley Park due to the historical orchard.

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation

Whim_09 Junction of Church Road and Woodhayes Lane
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 45
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_10 Land adjoining Woodhayes Country House, Woodhayes Lane
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 17
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_13 Land north side of Grove Road
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 108
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_14 Land at Perriton Barton
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 46
Officer recommendation: Not to allocate

Committee agreed to move on to the next site allocation.

Whim_11 Station Road
Proposed use: Housing
Number of dwellings: 33
Officer recommendation: Allocate

Simon Coles of Carney Sweeney agreed with the officer recommendation to allocate; and made reference to the benefit of the local community in respect of the affordable housing element.  Existing trees could be incorporated into the site design.

Ward Member Cllr Olive advised the committee of the value of the tree in the centre of the site. He outlined local responses to consultation, and commented that on balance from the responses, the local community felt the site was sustainable. He did not voice either support or objection to the site being included for allocation.

(Cllr Olive left the room for the debate and vote at this point)

Committee endorsed the recommendation to include Whim_11 in the site allocation.