Agenda item

The application was for the erection of a part single storey, part two storey building to form social club on ground floor and 1 x 1 bed and 1 x 2 bed units above, with associated parking and landscaping, following partial demolition of existing club premises and flat. (Additional information recv'd 28/7/17) (Additional plan recv'd 1/8/17) (Amended plan recv'd 2/8/17).

This application would normally have been determined under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation for Officers, however it had been reported to the Planning Applications Committee at the request of Cllr Tedder because of her concern regarding the parking at the site.

Members were advised of the following updates:

‘The Environmental Health Officer has confirmed that the details of the sound proof barrier are acceptable, stating that the barrier proposed achieves Category B3 performance which is normally required for roads and motorways so will be good at reducing sound levels.   Condition 6 proposed requires the sound proof barrier to be installed in accordance with these details.

The SAMM payment in respect of the two residential flats has also been received.

One additional letter of objection has been received which raises the following issues:

-        The clubhouse would be invasive to the street scene if the hedge was removed [Officer comment: The hedge is not proposed to be removed and this is discussed further in section 7.4 of the report]

-        Building will dominate the street scene in Windsor Road close to Grade II listed building [Officer comment: The Heritage Officer has not raised concern with regard to the impact on the listed building.  Character is discussed in section 7.4 of the report]

-        Parking in the area is a constant problem particularly with the rugby club, and cadet facility which has no parking, and there is insufficient parking proposed [Officer comment: Discussed in section 7.6 of the report]

-        Car park is full with overspill at times and additional street parking would be a hazard [Officer comment: Discussed in Section 7.6 of the report]

-        Is it not possible for the entrance to be off the main road [Officer comment: The Committee must consider the application as proposed]

-        Site is neglected and in a state of disrepair [Officer comment: Noted however redevelopment is likely to improve the situation in this respect]’

Members were advised that a landscaping condition was recommended should the application be approved.

Some Members were concerned about the location of the entrance close to a listed building, where it was narrow, close to a bend and had a lack of pavements. There was concern as to where any displaced parking would go and why a traffic survey had not been carried out.

Members were reminded that the County Highway Authority (CHA) had not raised any objection to the proposal and a parking management plan had been recommended by officers. Some Members felt the application should be deferred for a site visit and a CHA representative should also be present. Members were reminded that CHA had looked at the proposal several times and the view would be unlikely to change. It was also noted that on page 99 of the report, a condition regarding the Parking Management Plan was included which would look at measures to prevent overspill of parking.

Resolved that application 17/0367 be approved subject to the conditions as set out in the report of the Executive Head – Regulatory and an additional landscaping condition as advised at the meeting.

Note 1

The recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Councillor Nick Chambers and seconded by Councillor Jonathan Lytle.

Note 2

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 approve the application:

Councillors Nick Chambers, Colin Dougan, Edward Hawkins, Jonathan Lytle, Max Nelson, Robin Perry and John Winterton.

Voting against the recommendation to approve the application:

Councillors Paul Ilnicki, David Mansfield, Katia Malcaus Cooper, Conrad Sturt, Pat Tedder, Victoria Wheeler and Valerie White

The Chairman had the casting vote; the recommendation to approve the application was carried.

Councillor Surinder Gandhum did not vote as he left the room for part of the consideration of the application.