Agenda item

To consider the attached report (CHB-003-2019/20).

(1)        That a second planning application be submitted for an already approved development at Ladyfields, Loughton, recognising the Local Plan looks for reduced parking in proximity to a train/tube station and that we take an approach to maximise the available housing and minimise the parking in discussion with the Planning department.

The Housing Development Manager presented a report to the Cabinet Committee  advising that the report sought approval to submit a new planning application for the Ladyfields site in Loughton. The site had an existing planning approval for 6 x 2-bed affordable homes with 23 parking spaces. In line with the policies of the Local Plan, where zero parking was required within 400m of a railway station, it would be possible to increase the number of affordable homes on the site.

The site was located within 400m of Debden Station on the London Underground Central Line and if left as previously approved, this site would not comply with the new Local Plan Policies.

Therefore, by submitting a new planning application for the site, compliant with the intentions of the new Local Plan, the Council could increase the number of affordable homes by better utilising the land to enable the delivery of between 10 and 11 additional affordable homes for applicants on the Council’s waiting list. Improving the districts housing offer, through building more Council-owned Affordable Housing, was a target in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

It was therefore recommended that a new planning application be submitted for the site at Ladyfields, Loughton in line with the Local Plan Policy requirements, thereby increasing the development opportunity for the site to between 10 and 11 affordable homes for Council tenants. It should be noted that this recommendation does not override the existing planning consent on the site.

Councillor N Avey stated that one of his responsibilities as a Portfolio Holder was for parking and although the Local Plan dictated the way forward regarding parking it was counter intuitive as there was already so many problems across the district regarding parking. The people who buy/rent these houses will almost certainly have at least one vehicle which will cause a major problem with displaced parking.

Councillor J Philip stated that he disagreed with Councillor N Avey as advised that we did have to do something to reduce parking across the district. He did say that for 6x2 bed homes 23 car parking spaces was excessive. The original planning permission had been approved and this was a new application which did not override the original one but it might be worth going forward to get a better balance for this site.

Councillor A Lion stated although we do need to reduce the amount of vehicles it was to early to reduce these sites to zero, we as a Council should maintain a level that was acceptable.

The Cabinet Committee agreed to amend the decision as below.

Decision:

(1)        That a second planning application be submitted for an already approved development at Ladyfields, Loughton, recognising the Local Plan looks for reduced parking in proximity to a train/underground station and that we take an approach to maximise the available housing and minimise the parking in discussion with the Planning department.

Reasons for Decision:

The Council has an ambition to develop 300 new affordable homes for Council tenants by 2025, making use of its 1-4-1 receipts to fund the programme. The Local Plan also sets out its ambition to deliver 11,400 new homes of all tenures across the district over the life of the plan. In its Terms of Reference, the Cabinet Committee is required to approve the submission of detailed planning applications, and/or if more appropriate, outline planning applications.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

Not to progress with a second planning application and to enact the current scheme, which will deliver both new affordable homes and associated car parking, but not taking the opportunity to deliver a scheme in line with the new Local Plan Policy.