To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services in conjunction with the Report of the Development Control Panel – Item No. 9 (f).
Minutes:
Further to Minute Nos. 22 and 23 and in conjunction with the report of the Development Control Panel (Minute No. 30 (f) refers), the Head of Planning Services introduced a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding an outline planning application for the development of a new college campus, car parking and access, a multi-activity games area and football pitch on land currently in the ownership of Cambridgeshire Constabulary situated west of Brampton Road and north of Hinchingbrooke Park Road, Huntingdon.
In the course of his presentation, the Head of Planning Services updated the Council on the representations received from Huntingdon Town Council, the Greater Cambridge Partnership, the Principal of the Regional College and a member of the public since the agenda had been circulated. Mr S Bell, Team Leader Transportation advised the Council of the implications of the development for the local transport infrastructure and confirmed that Cambridgeshire County Council had indicated their satisfaction that the transport assessment had demonstrated that the development could progress without detrimental effect.
Ms A Constantine, addressed the Council on behalf of the applicant, Huntingdonshire Regional College. The Chairman of the Development Control Panel, Councillor P G Mitchell, drew attention to those issues which had led the Panel to indicate its support for the application and to recommend its approval. Principally, these related to the content of the transport assessment, the views of the Highways Authority and the opportunity presented by the development to provide a “state of the art” skills college for Huntingdon and the surrounding area. Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Mitchell and duly seconded that the recommendation contained in Item No. 1 of the Report of the meeting of the Development Control Panel be approved.
Detailed discussion ensued during which some local councillors expressed their concerns at -
¨ the manner in which consultation had been conducted on the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan particularly given the timing of the application under consideration;
¨ the potential impact of the proposed development on increased traffic, the local road network and the inadequacy of bus services and cycle links;
¨ that there were sufficient higher education facilities in Peterborough and St Neots;
¨ that a green travel plan would be ineffective;
¨ that the existing college site was more appropriate; and
¨ that the proposed site was unsuitable in such close proximity to another large educational establishment.
Alternative views were expressed in support of the application in terms of better accessibility for students, improved transport links, compliance with the emerging strategy for this part of Huntingdon and sustainability.
Following contributions from a number of Councillors and it having been moved and seconded, the Council
RESOLVED
(a) that, subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Planning Services, the application for the erection of a new college campus and access works, associated parking and sport pitches on land that forms part of the sports ground, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Hinchingbrooke Park, Hinchingbrooke Road, Huntingdon be supported;
(b) that the Government Office for the Eastern Region be requested to consider whether they wish to call-in the proposal; and
(c) that, in the event that the proposal not being called in by the Government Office, the application be approved subject to conditions set out in paragraph 10 of the report now submitted and the Director of Environmental and Community Services authorised to advertise the application as a departure from the Development Plan.
Supporting documents: