Agenda and draft minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Stokes declared an interest in 15/01106/OUT – Land to the South of Oundle Road at East of England Showground, Oundle Road, as a Ward Councillor for Orton Waterville. Councillor Stokes confirmed that she had not been involved in any ward work in relation to the item. She was not, however, predetermined.

No Member declarations of intention to make representations as Ward Councillor were received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2016 were approved as a correct record.

The planning application was for up to 130 dwellings on Land to the South of Oundle Road, at East of England Showground, Oundle Road, with all matters reserved except for access.

The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the application and highlighted a number of key issues within the report and update report.

A motion was put forward and agreed by the Committee to extend the speaking time for speakers and to permit an additional speaker.  The Committee agreed to the 10 minute extended speaking time and to allow Cambridgeshire County Councillor Roger Henson to speak on the item.

Councillor Aitken, speaking on behalf of Arena Drive residents, addressed the Committee and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Residents in the main were not in objection to the planning application, however, wanted to raise concerns over road access points;

·         Residents wished that the Committee consider implementation of a time restricted access for the proposed entrance at Joeseph Odam Way (JOW), for a future planning meeting; and 

·         There was a preference to the construction of an access point on Oundle Way.

Parish Councillor Iyer, speaking on behalf of Alwalton Parish Council addressed the Committee and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Concerns were raised over the A605 junction and the volume of traffic that may increase as a result of the development;

·         Traffic approaching from the new development would not be given priority;

·         It was estimated that 200 cars would need to gain access to through Lynchwood to get to schools during rush hour;

·         Cars travelling from the A1 North and Chesterson could be at risk of traffic accidents due to anticipate congestion issues;

·         Access points at the end of the East of England Showground and Joseph Odam Way was felt more appropriate;

·         Concerns were raised with regards to the proposed traffic signals at the A605 junction.  Alwalton benefits from free flowing traffic currently, however, the  installation of traffic signals could cause traffic tailback and potentially traffic accidents;

·         Concerns raised over the A605 junction and proposed grass verge increase; and

·         Consideration should be given to the installation of a roundabout near the Marriot Hotel in order to filter traffic.

County Councillor Roger Henson, speaking on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council addressed the Committee and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         The Parish Council had written to Peterborough City Council to outline their traffic congestions concerns in relation to the proposed development;

·         There were already heavy traffic congestion issues near the Showground particularly during events such as Truckfest;

·         The A605 was a high and wide route for heavy goods vehicles and a traffic light installation could cause significant traffic tailback and confusion for drivers;

·         There were height restrictions at bridges surrounding the area, which would cause difficulties for high heavy goods vehicles should they divert from the normal route;

·         Consideration should be given to install an alternative traffic management route  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

The planning application was for three new gas compressors at 1650 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, including enclosures, a new vent stack, site office, administration and welfare buildings, and associated infrastructure.

The Development Manager provided an overview of the application and highlighted a number of key issues within the report and update report.

Paul Emmit the Lead Project Manager, National Grid addressed the Committee as the applicant for the application and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         The National Grid supplied to homes and commercial users and Peterborough was a site that transported gas across the UK; 

·         The 40 year old site would be replaced with a modern system ultralow emissions, which would lower the impact on the environment; 

·         All aspects of refusal of the scheme previously had been reviewed carefully to ensure that an improved scheme was put forward;

·         Residents and Parish Councils had been canvassed and comments had fed back to enhance the plans to reduce the environmental impact;

·         Concerns raised by residents over the scheme had been addressed; and

·         The National Grid would continue to work with the local community during construction.

The Committee discussed the application noted the consultation that National Grid had undertaken with the local community to improve and change their original proposals.  The installation of a natural tree option had been a benefit to local people and would improve the visual appearance compared to the original scheme.  Some members also expressed that the CO2 levels could be better.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, as per officer recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in the report. The motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: (unanimous) that planning permission is GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Reasons for the decision

The proposed development to the Peterborough Gas Compressor Station was part of a national programme of upgrades for key operational sites in the National Transmission System of gas energy supply.  The primary focus of which was the reduction of emissions to meet the European Union Directive for Large Combustion Plants.  The proposals were supported by EN 1, the overarching National Policy Statement for Energy.  The reduction in NOx and CO2 would benefit the local environment.  The proposals would result in a development which would be more visible than the current gas compressor site, in particular the new gas turbine compressor units and the vent stack (which was to be located on the proposed extended site to the east of the current facility).  It was accepted that for operational and safety issues as well was planning issues such as flood risk, the eastern extension of the site was the most viable and that the principle of the development was acceptable in accordance with policy CS1 of the Core Strategy.  The application details had been assessed and the key issues relating to the following matters have been identified;

Transport

Scale/design and impact on neighbours

Impact on landscape character and landscaping

Biodiversity/ecology  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2

The planning application was for a two storey extension to the side of 5 Woodfield Road, Peterborough and a single storey extension to the rear.

The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the application and highlighted a number of key issues within the report.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, as per officer recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in the report. The motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: (unanimous) that planning permission is GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Reasons for the decision

Subject to the imposition of the attached conditions, the proposal was acceptable having been assessed in the light of all material considerations, including weighing against relevant policies of the development plan and specifically:

·         The proposed development would not result in an unacceptable impact on the character of the area or neighbour amenity.

·         The proposed parking provision, in the context of the application site, where there was capacity to park one car on the street was considered acceptable.

The development was therefore in accordance with Policy CS16 of the Peterborough Core Strategy and Policies PP02, PP03 and PP12 of the Peterborough Planning Policies DPD.

The planning application was for a single storey rear extension to 126 Ainsdale Drive, Werrington and a porch to the side elevation.

The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the application and highlighted a number of key issues within the report.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, as per officer recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in the report. The motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: (unanimous) that planning permission is GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Reasons for the decision

Subject to the imposition of the attached conditions, the proposal was acceptable having been assessed in the light of all material considerations, including weighing against relevant policies of the development plan and specifically:

·         The proposal would not unacceptably harm the character of the area, the amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings or the safety of users of the nearby highway network; in accordance with policy CS16 of the Peterborough Core Strategy (DPD) 2011 and policies PP2, PP3 and PP13 of the Peterborough Planning Policies (DPD) 2012.

The Committee received a report which outlined the review of the Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) grant scheme (2011/12-2014/15) that supported the repair, restoration and reinstatement of building fabric in Cowgate, an important part of the City Centre Conservation Area.  The report explained how successful the scheme had been and the benefits achieved.  The Committee was also advised that the planning team were exploring the introduction of the same scheme for the Wesgate area.

In response to a question raised by Members, the Principal Built Environment Officer advised that locations were being researched for the relocation of the Post Office as a result of the Queensgate improvement works.

The Committee congratulated the Principal Built Environment Officer on the development of the partnership scheme on Westgate and Cowgate, which had also encouraged people to reside in the centre.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the review of the Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) in the Cowgate area of the City Centre Conservation area.