The Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation & Highways) will submit a report (Document “J”) which sets out a Hybrid planning application comprising of full planning application to demolish and redevelop the redundant primary tanks with a residential development of 150 dwellings and ancillary community hub, vehicular access, public open space and outline planning application to demolish and redevelop the redundant filter beds for up to 100,000m2 of employment development including means of vehicular access, with all other matters reserved.

The application also includes an Environmental Statement.

Recommended –

That the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to Document “J”.

(Hannah Lucitt - 01274 434605)

The Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and Highways) submitted a report (Document “J”) which set out the proposal for a Hybrid planning application comprising of full planning application to demolish and redevelop the redundant primary tanks with a residential development of 150 dwellings and ancillary community hub, vehicular access, public open space and outline planning application to demolish and redevelop the redundant filter beds for up to 100,000 square metres of business space in Esholt.

The Principal Planning Officer provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed development, showing photographs of the site, plans and drawings and summarising the representations that had been received.  The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee of the following amendments:

·         The reference to Affordable Housing to include Idle and Thackley and Baildon area;

·         Page 175 (condition 46) to also include use class A1.

The Principal Planning Officer also reported that a petition had been received with approximately 800 signatures requesting the disused primary tanks be used for a nature reserve rather than housing.

It was noted that the entire Esholt Site was within Green Belt. The Committee also noted that West YorkshirePolice had objected in relation to the design of the housing estate, in that it was not ideal for preventing crime and that the number/layout of footpaths would create issues for potential crime and anti-social behaviour and would not create a safe and secure environment.

A Member expressed concern and stated the proposed scheme conflicted with a number of Council plans, including the Housing Strategy Plan. There was also lack of amenities close to this development and the proposed scheme was not deemed to be sustainable in Esholt.

A number of objectors were present at the meeting including Ward Councillors, and had raised a number of points, including:

·         the proposal did not comply with the planning documents and current plans;

·         West Yorkshire Police had raised concerns with regards to security and crime prevention measures issues and stated that the design and layout does not address any of the security issues;

·         there was already traffic issues on Old Hollins Hill. The proposed development would potentially bring extra traffic to Esholt;

·         there was lack of amenities for the new residents; in particular, schools and GPs;

·         the scale of the development was excessive and would have an impact on the Green Belt.

In response to Members questions and comments, the Principal Planning Officer informed the Committee that legislation to permit Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) was not in place yet and therefore it was not currently possible.  Members asked if consideration could be given to ANPR in the future. The Principal Planning Officer advised that it would be possible to attach a requirement through the s106 Legal Agreement for a review by the applicant of the feasibility of ANPR, to be in 6 months and if so required in 12 months, and if ANPR was not feasible, then it would revert to the Traffic Regulation Order and ‘Access Only’ sign outlined in the Report.      

In response to Members’ questions, the Principal Planning Officer clarified that the proposed development was considered sustainable, the scheme would improve public transport, as well as cycle routes and footpaths. The development would also support both existing and new business generating jobs.

The applicant shared a presentation to the Committee of the proposed development and informed Members that the scheme was unique to Bradford and would provide new standards of housing and create jobs. Furthermore, the applicant stated that the concerns raised by representatives had been addressed.

In response to a Member’s question, the applicant clarified with regard to the implementation of the proposed car permit scheme, permits would be issued to residents in the new proposed development and Esholt Village residents in the first instance and on a priority basis.

During the discussion, Members requested a condition and informative  to ensure the retention of garages and an informative regarding the positioning and design of letter/mail boxes within the doors should be in accordance with British Standard mailboxes and letter boxes to ensure that they are positioned at a suitably accessible height and accessible to postal delivery workers.

Members expressed their support with regards to the proposed scheme and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)  That the application be approved, subject to conditions set out in Appendix 1 to Document ‘J’ and subject to application being referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under the provision of the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009:

(2)  Notwithstanding, the S106 shall include a requirement for the Applicant to undertake a review to assess, within 6 months of the application first being implemented, and again within 12months (if so required), the feasibility of providing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to restrict vehicles to ‘access only’ to Esholt Village.  The assessment shall review the legislation, detail the requirements and provide for a proportionate commuted sum. In the event that ANPR is not feasible after the second assessment after 12 months of the scheme first being implemented, the Traffic Regulation Order ‘Access Only’ listed on the S106 shall be fully implemented, and also to the following additional condition/informative:

(3)  Notwithstanding the provisions of S.55(2)(d) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any subsequent equivalent legislation) the integral garages within the dwellings hereby permitted shall remain available for the purposes of garaging, and no subsequent alterations to convert these garages to residential accommodation shall be carried out: and

(4)  The positioning and design of letter/mail boxes within the doors serving dwellings should be in accordance with British Standard EN13724 mailboxes and letter boxes to ensure that they are positioned at a suitably accessible height and accessible to postal delivery workers.

ACTION: Assistant Director Transportation Design & Planning