Issue - meetings

A planning application was presented for a new shop unit with two flats above at 70-80 Storrington Way, Werrington. The application outlined in the report was a resubmission, following refusal of a previous scheme in 2013.

The application was considered by the Planning Environmental Protection Committee on 7 October 2014 and planning permission was granted. This decision had been called-in under Part 3, Delegations Section 2 – Regulatory Committee Functions – Paragraph 2.6.2 of the constitution for the Planning Review Committee to consider.

The main considerations were:

·    The Principle of Development

·    Highways

·    Design and Visual Amenity

·    Residential Amenity

·    Neighbourhood Amenity

·    Landscaping

·    Section 106

It was officer’s recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report and the signing of a legal agreement.

The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the application and raised the following key points:

·         The Planning and Environmental Protection Committee had previously refused planning permission for an earlier version of this application, against officer recommendation.

·         The past refusal had been on the grounds of highways. The footprint of the then proposed development would extend into the visibility slope of the roads.

·         The decision was upheld at appeal, however the Planning Inspector was critical of the lack of detail presented to the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee and costs were awarded.

·         The proposal now before Committee had been altered to eliminate the development’s impact on the forward visibility splay. As such, a corner of the development was now further set back from the road.

·         The area required for forward visibility was calculated using the results of recent a speed survey. The distance required for forward visibility was established as 28 metres.

·         Additional photos were displayed, which had been received from residents, highlighting the fly-tipping problems and internal conditions of the current flats.

·         The trees on site were not considered worthy of Tree Preservation Orders, however a condition had been included in the proposal for replacement planting.

·         The Committee were advised that the issues for consideration were the redesigned area of the development and the highways issues. All other matters had been previously tested by the Planning and Environmental Protection Committee and the Planning Inspector.

Councillor Thacker, Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Numerous complaints had been received from residents regarding anti-social behaviour, drugs, fires and fly-tipping. This usually results in a call to the Neighbourhood team.

·         The state of the existing flats were disgraceful and the application would, if approved, add to this.

·         The current properties were vacant, no more were required.

·         The parking on the site was insufficient for the current residents. Adding further development would increase this problem. The site was adjacent to a main bus route and a school route, which resulted in traffic issues.

·         The proposals were contrary to many Council policies, including those relating to adding quality, positive contributions, open space, overbearing impact, shop frontages, parking and trees.

·         There was no further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

The planning application was for a new shop unit with two flats above at 70-80 Storrington Way, Werrington. The application outlined in the report was a resubmission, following refusal of a previous scheme in 2013.

The main considerations were:

·    The Principle of Development

·    Highways

·    Design and Visual Amenity

·    Residential Amenity

·    Neighbourhood Amenity

·    Landscaping

·    Section 106

It was officer’s recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report and the signing of a legal agreement.

The Head of Development and Construction provided an overview of the application and raised the following key points:

·         The Committee previously refused planning permission for a previous version of this application, against officer recommendation.

·         The Committee refused on the grounds of highways. The footprint of the site would extend into the visibility slope.

·         The Committee’s decision was upheld at appeal, however the planning inspector was critical of the lack of detail presented to Committee and costs were awarded.

·         The current application before Committee proposed a revised footprint which cleared the forward visibility slope.

·         The matters for Committee to consider were the forward visibility, which Highways were happy with, and the altered design.

·         The condition of the flats and issues regarding fly tipping were not material planning considerations.

Mr David Shaw, Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         The previous application had been refused on a single highways ground. This problem had been resolved with the redesign of the building.

·         The current condition of the site was not relevant.

·         It had been claimed that the grass was cut on the site by the Council, at its cost. It was the case that the Council had been required to cut the grass. This, however, had been paid for by the applicant in the past.

·         Several of the leases at the site placed the responsibility for maintenance on the tenants.

The Committee discussed the amended application and considered that the problem of highway visibility had been resolved. It was raised by a Member of the Committee that the trees proposed for removal added to the site and requested that officers consider action in relation to these trees carefully.

The Senior Engineer (Development) explained that a speed survey had been conducted and, after evaluation of the plan and site survey, Highways were happy with the visibility proposed within the application.

A motion was proposed and seconded to agree that permission be granted, as per officer recommendation. The motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: (unanimous) that planning permission is GRANTED subject to the signing of a LEGAL AGREEMENT and the conditions set out in the reports.

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 was for retail development within a local centre;

·         The site had extant planning consent for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6