The proposed scheme by developer Redrow Homes includes up to 2,000 homes, with 25% affordable housing, up to 400 square metres of space for a local shop, a new primary school, a community building, a new linear park, playing fields and public open space.
The committee's decision went against a recommendation by the Council's planning officers to approve the proposals. The officers said in the committee report (152-page / 958KB PDF) that, although the proposed development would have some adverse impacts, these did not "significantly and demonstrably" outweigh the benefits of the scheme.
The report also noted that the majority of the proposed development land had been safeguarded in the Council's Local Plan to meet possible development needs arising after 2011.
The officers had set out more than 100 proposed conditions to be attached to the permission if granted as well as proposals for Section 106 contributions including £4.4 million towards a primary school and more than £3m towards transport infrastructure.
However, the committee said that allowing the development on greenfield land would be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework as well as the Council's Local Plan. It instructed the planning officers to prepare detailed wording setting out the committee's grounds for refusal to be presented at the next committee meeting on 11 July.
The committee resolved to grant permission for another application by Redrow 145 to build new homes on land to the east of the Sutton New Hall Farm site.
