Agenda item

The application was for theerection of a two storey building with accommodation in the roof to provide 1no three bedroom, 3no two bedroom and 1no one bedroom flats with parking and access onto Southern Road. (Additional plans rec'd 29/10/15), (Additional plan rec'd 30/10/15), (Amended plans rec'd 02/11/15). (Additional plan rec'd 11/12/15).

The application would normally have been determined by officers in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation of Functions to Officers. However, at the request of Councillor Alan McClafferty it had been called in for determination by the Planning Applications Committee.

Members were advised of the following updates on the application since the publication of the agenda:

“Two petitions of 149 and 71 signatures have been received raising objections to the proposal on the following grounds:

·       Loss of public landscape [Officer comment: The proposed access would result in the loss of part of a 2 metre high hedge and grass in front.  As indicated at Paragraph 6.13 of the officer report, this loss is not considered to be significant enough to warrant the refusal of this application] 

·       Would result in unwelcome traffic movements onto a pedestrian route to and for the town centre [See Paragraph 7.6]

·       Reversing manoeuvres onto the pedestrian route would be a health and safety risk to pedestrians, including children coming to and from school [See Paragraph 7.6]”

Members were further advised that, in relation to the petitions referred to in the updates, which had been received electronically, a hard copy of the 2 petitions had been received which had contained additional signatures. 

It was reported that a Member site visit had taken place prior to the meeting.

The Committee considered the application and discussed concerns regarding the proposed access onto Southern Road, a shared surface for pedestrians and cars. It was recognised that the access would result in reverse manoeuvres into Southern Road.

The existing building was located centrally on the plot, with parking provided to the rear, with access from Southwell Park Road. However, it was noted that the increased footprint of the proposed building would prevent the car parking spaces at the rear of the site being accessed from the existing access on Southwell Park Road.

Officers had recommended that the application be approved. However, after consideration, Members felt the application should be refused on the grounds of bulk, massing, and loss of amenity value due to vehicle movements.

RESOLVED that application 15/0701 be refused for reasons relating to bulk, massing, and loss of amenity value due to vehicle movements on Southern Road, with the wording for the refusal to be finalised in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Ward Councillors.

Note 1

It was noted for the record that

                                (i)          Councillor Colin Dougan declared that he was lived on Southwell Park Road and was a member of Southwell Park Residents’ Association. Cllr Dougan advised that he had consulted the Monitoring Officer when the site had previously been considered by the committee.

                              (ii)          Councillor Victoria Wheeler declared that her sister was the Vice Chairman of Southwell Park Residents’ Association, whose Chairman would be speaking on the item. Councillor Wheeler left the room during the consideration of the item.

Note 2

As the application had triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Mr Kirkland spoke in objection to the application on behalf of the Southwell Park Residents’ Association.

Note 3

There was no proposer or seconder for the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

Note 4

The recommendation to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor Colin Dougan and seconded by Councillor Valerie White.

Note 5

In accordance with Part 4, Section D, paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting in relation to the application was as follows:

Voting in favour of the recommendation to refuse the application:

Councillors David Allen, Richard Brooks, Nick Chambers, Colin Dougan, Surinder Gandhum, Edward Hawkins, Paul Ilnicki, Katia Malcaus Cooper, David Mansfield, Adrian Page, Robin Perry, Conrad Sturt, Pat Tedder, Victoria Wheeler and Valerie White.