Minutes of the Special Planning Meeting held on Thursday 5th October at 7.15pm
Present: Cllr Barbara Cooper (Chairperson)
Cllr Will Bevan
Cllr Ben Holland
Cllr Peter White
Sharon Brown (Clerk)
Also present: 6 members of the public.
Written and verbal representation had also been made by residents, to the chair of the Parish Council in the week preceding the meeting.
46 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Mrs Bobbie Coe, Cllr Elly Hemmins, Mrs Chris Morton, Skylark editor and Mr and Mrs Crowther.
47 MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
48 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATION
23/02752/OUT | Outline application for the erection of up to 5 No. self-build dwellings with some matters reserved except for access off Fox Road. | Land North Of Davids Lodge Old North Road Bourn Cambridgeshire CB23 2TZ:
It was noted that Longstowe Parish Council had not been consulted on this planning application by Greater Cambridgeshire Planning, despite it being right on the parish boundary with Longstowe. There had always been consultations in the past when applications were at or very near the parish boundary. Representation was made to GCP on this point, once the Parish Council was aware of the application. The reply from GCP that it was too late for the Parish Council to be formally consulted, but a response could be made if sent in soon, was not considered adequate.
There was extensive discussion on the planning application.
The road safety issue was considered extremely important, with the proposed access / egress on to Fox Road, B1046 extremely near to the unsafe junction of the A1198 with the B1046. There is currently insufficient provision for pedestrian safety at this junction and both residents and commuters are put at risk. The response of CCC Highways to the planning consultation was considered extremely concerning, as it does not address the road safety issue.
The proposal is also considered incompatible with the rural village and parish setting, which comprises houses with open fields and small copses between them. The application site is wooded despite its current poorly managed condition. It is further considered that self-build, although a worthwhile method in itself, should not be a reason for any planning permission on this site, as road safety issues are not addressed. It was noted that previous planning applications on this site have been refused on road safety grounds. It was noted that the A1198 / B1046 junction is now more dangerous, due lack of respect for the speed limit on both roads.
The lack of local amenity is also considered of relevance, with poor access to the nearest amenities such as village shop, village halls or even accessing the nearest field paths, due to the busy roads.
For the above reasons, the Parish Council unanimously rejected the planning application and resolved to make representation to the Planning Authority.
49 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THURSDAY 19TH OCTOBER, AT 7.15PM, AT LONGSTOWE VILLAGE HALL.
Signed by Date October 2023
Chair