Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Linger.

Councillor Satchwell, one of the ward members related to Minute 12, wished it recorded that she was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting of the Planning Committee and receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Site Viewing Working Party.

RESOLVED that

a)         the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 9 June 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman; and

b)         the minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 23 June 2022 be received.

There were no declarations of interests.

There were no matters to be considered for site viewing and deferment.

Proposal:      Erection of retail foodstore with associated car parking, access, landscaping and engineering works.

Additional Information

(The site was viewed by the Site Viewing Working Party on 6 Jun 2022)

Proposal:      Erection of retail foodstore with associated car parking, access, landscaping and engineering works.

The Committee considered the written report and recommendation from the Head of Planning to grant permission.

The Committee received supplementary information, circulated prior to the meeting, which:

(1)        included written deputations submitted by Councillor Pike and by Mr Mitchell, on behalf of the applicant;

(2)        reported receipt of a highways summary report submitted by the applicant’s highway consultant to support the application;

(3)        reported additional representations received and officer comments upon them;

(4)        amended the reference to the NPFF in paragraph 7.47 of the report; and

(5)        amended recommended condition 6.

Officers also verbally reported a further amendment to recommended condition 2 regarding one of the document references.

The Chairman advised the Committee that she had agreed to a request from the applicant that Mr Mitchell present the deputation submitted by the applicant and to allow Mr Mitchell, Mr Mayer and Mr Thorne (“the applicant’s representatives”) to answer any technical questions raised by the members.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Mitchell, who on behalf of the applicant, reiterated the issues set out in the written deputation submitted by the applicant.

In response to questions from members of the Committee, the applicant’s representatives:     

·                     Advised that the visibility at the B & Q roundabout crossing point at the roundabout had been investigated and found to meet the necessary guidance. Although it was acknowledged that there was constrained visibility westwards at this point for road users exiting the access point, it was felt that the retention of the vegetation that obscured the driver’s view would be beneficial as it would encourage drivers to be more cautious when approaching this exit point.

·                     Advised that the level of support referred to in the deputation was an analysis of an independent survey undertaken by the applicant.

·                     Reassured the Committee that the proposal was intended to complement existing stores in the area and that there were no plans to close the store currently operating in Park Parade.

·                     Explained that the new trip category referred to in the report related to those trips on the network which were entirely associated with the new development and were therefore not currently accounted for on the network. It was envisaged that the proposed store would not necessarily generate all new trips but redirect existing trips from existing stores.

·                     Reported that the scope of the assessment of the impact on the ASDA roundabout had been governed by the Highway Authority. This assessment found that the proposal would have a minimal impact on the overall operation of the roundabout.

·                     Advised that the access road into Lidl had been assessed and was considered suitable for use by delivery and customer vehicles. The Committee was also advised that the proposed dual use access road was a common feature for Lidl stores

·                     Advised that the maintenance of the vegetation on land within the ownership of the applicant would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Proposal:      Demolition of existing house and replacement with 7 unit apartment development [Use Class C3]

Additional Information

(The site was viewed by the Site Viewing Working Party on 23 Jun 2022)

Proposal:      Demolition of existing house and replacement with 7 unit apartment development [Use Class C3]

The Committee considered the written report and recommendation from the Head of Planning to grant permission.

The Committee received supplementary information, circulated prior to the meeting which:

(1)        included written deputations submitted on by Mr Towse on behalf of neighbours and local residents, and also on behalf of the applicants; and

(2)        corrected distances referred to in paragraphs 7.27, 7.29 and 7.32 of the submitted report.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Stoddart, who on behalf of the applicant, reiterated the issues set out in the written deputation submitted on behalf of the applicants.

The Committee discussed the application in detail together with the views raised in the deputations.

During the debate, concern was raised that the parking provision was insufficient and would encourage vehicles, generated by the use of the proposal, to park in Victoria Avenue, which would exacerbate the existing problems caused by vehicles parking in this road.

However, the majority of the Committee considered that:

(i)         as the parking provision complied with the adopted standards it would be difficult to justify refusal on these grounds;

(ii)        the proposal would not have a detrimental impact upon neighbouring properties; and

(iii)        the proposal would improve the appearance of the site and be beneficial to the appearance and character of the area.

A motion proposed by Councillor Stone and seconded by Councillor TIndall to agree the recommendations set out in the submitted report was agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED that application APP/22/00161 be granted permission subject to:

(A)       completion of the Section 106 Agreement as set out in paragraph 7.57 of the submitted report (for which authority is given to the Head of Legal Services to complete the Agreement); and

(B)       the conditions set out below (subject to such changes and/or additions that the Head of Planning considers necessary to impose prior to the issuing of the decision).

General

1          The development must be begun not later than three years beginning with the date of this permission.

            Reason: To comply with the requirements of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

            Plans

            Location Plan – Drawing No 2020.020 PL01

            Site Plan Proposed – Drawing No. 2020 PL02E

            Proposed Elevations – Drawing No.  2020.020 PL06G

            Proposed Floor Plans – Drawing No. 2020 020 PL05H

            Proposed Landscape Plan – Drawing No. 2020 020 PL03E

            Distances to Adjacent Properties Plan – Drawing No. 2020 020 PL04D

            Documents

            Accessibility Statement - Preston Baker - February 2022

            Planning Statement - Preston Baker – February 2022

            Design & Access Statement - Stoddart Architecture

            Highways Support Statement - Andrew Moseley Associates

            AMA Surface Water & Foul Drainage Assessment - Andrew Moseley Associates – 10 February 2022

            Landscape Maintenance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.