Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Serluca, Casey, North and Stokes. Councillor Thacker was in attendance as substitute.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of intention to make representations as Ward Councillor.

The planning application was for construction of an office building and associated external works at Herlington House, Benyon Grove. The application also included alterations to windows and doors at Herlington House and associated external works (relating to the change of use to flats). The application had been deferred by the Committee at its meeting on 18 November 2014 in order to hear additional information on access for coaches and emergency vehicles, the suitability of the bus lane for coach access, and any alternative access.

The main considerations were:

·         Principal of development

·         Site History

·         Access and Parking

·         Design

·         Impact on nearby residents

·         Security

·         Bin Store

·         Sustainability

·         Section 106

It was officer’s recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

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

·         Tracking of a 12 metre coach within the site, as it currently was, had been undertaken and showed that the overhang of the bus would enter third party land.

·         The site was not currently designed for coach access, and such use would not be recommended by the Council.

·         Emergency vehicles and refuse vehicles would be able to access the site.

·         The terms of the Traffic Regulation Order covering the bus stop lay-by meant that coaches could not legally stop there. The TRO could be modified, however, it would be unreasonable to expect the applicant to meet these costs.

·         If the TRO were to be modified, coaches could use the Benyon Grove stop. This was 60 metres from the church. As coach trips occurred four times a year, this was considered to be reasonable.

·         A number of standardised letters of support had been received as well as the notes from a meeting between the applicant and the church, at which meeting the church withdrew its objection to the application.

Bill Wilcock, resident, addressed the Committee in objection to the application and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Mr Wilcock thanked the Committee for visiting the application site.

·         The car park was used by numerous communities and was often busy, especially at weekends.

It was clarified that the church and representatives had met with the applicant, and had subsequently withdrawn its objection.

Neil Armstrong, Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application and responded to questions from Members. In summary the key points highlighted included:

·         Mr Armstrong thanked the Committee for convening the meeting.

·         The applicant had met with the church and its representatives to look at the access to the site.

·         It was determined that it was not practical for a coach to access the site as it was presently as the route prior to reaching the car park was narrower than the car park itself.

·         It was agreed by the church and Ward Councillors that the application was satisfactory.

·         A previous employee of the applicant had sought local opinion on the proposals, and how the application would benefit the area,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.