Agenda item

In respect of application numbered /19/1100/CHHO - Erection of 12no. dwellings and associated works, The Quadrant, Stonehill Green, Swindon) the Committee considered: -

Councillors Jim Robbins  and Councillor Peter Watts spoke in respect of this application.

The application can be broadly summarised as:

·        The application was for the erection of 12 no. dwellings and associated works. The dwellings would have 3 storeys and would be arranged in groups of 3 forming 4 separate blocks, sited either side of the existing pedestrian access to the site off Stonehill Green.

·        The dwellings, which consist of 4no. 3 bedroom units and 8no. 4 bedroom units, would front into the site with gardens at the rear backing onto Stonehill Green.

·        The dwellings front into the site and the gardens backing onto Stonehill

Green.

·        Each dwelling would benefit from 2no. parking spaces provided to the front of each unit and landscaping to the front of each dwelling, including hedgerows, trees and planting.

·        The proposal site is located within the Delta Key Employment Area in an area with a presumption of development; residential use had been established with the conversion of The Quadrant, a 3 storey former office building into residential units. This was a significant material consideration and outweighed the loss of employment land.

·        The development would not unreasonably affect nearby residential properties.

·        The loss of some existing trees on the site would be mitigated by additional tree planting and landscaping.

·        Although 57 parking spaces servicing The Quadrant would be lost as part of the development parking standards required by planning parking standards for the existing and proposed schemes would be met.

·        The sustainable development strategy in Swindon Local Plan Policy SD2 seeks to focus development on the Swindon urban area and urban extensions to Swindon. As the site is within Swindon's urban area, it is a location in which the principle of residential developments in accordance with the Local Plan.

Submissions opposing the application can be broadly summarised as:

·        The loss of 57 parking at The Quadrant resulting from the proposed development would have a massive impact on the residents of The Quadrant as the car park was currently fully utilised.

·        There was also a shortfall of parking in the vicinity including at the nearby University campus site and on-street parking was a real issue in the area.

·        The application’s building design was poor with little attempt to create something more sympathetic to the vicinity.

Resolved – That the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage be authorised to grant planning permission in respect of application S/19/1100/CHHO subject to the conditions set out in the report together with any amended, omitted or additional conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the necessary mitigation. In the event that the applicant fails to agree an extension of time to allow sufficient time for the Local Planning Authority to deal with these matters then the Head of

Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage be authorised to refuse planning permission.