Agenda item

The application was for the erection of 1 no. research and development/light industrial/general industry/warehouse building (Class B1b/B1c/B2/B8) with ancillary offices, car parking and landscaping and associated development.

Members received the following updates:

‘Consultations

The Council’s Environmental Health Officer and the Environment Agency raise no objections. 

The Local Lead Flood Authority (SCC) also raises no objections subject to conditions (see conditions 12 and 13, already proposed within the officer report, and amended condition 14 below). 

The County Highway Authority raises no objections subject to conditions (see conditions 5 and 7, already proposed within the officer report, and additional condition below).

Recommendation

Amend Condition 9 to state:

Any tree or plants, which within a period of five years of commencement of any works in pursuance of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced as soon as practicable with others of similar size and species, following consultation with the Local Planning Authority, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

Reason: To preserve and enhance the visual amenities of the locality in accordance with Policy DM9 of the Surrey Heath Core Strategy and Development Management Policies 2012. 

Amend Condition 10 to state:

No development shall take place until a detailed scheme for remedial works and measures to be undertaken to avoid risk from contaminants and/or gases when the site is developed and proposals for future maintenance and monitoring shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  Such scheme shall include nomination of a competent person to oversee the implementation of the works.  The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied/brought into use until there has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority verification by the competent person (indicated above) that any remediation work required and approved under the provisions above has been implemented fully in accordance with the approved details. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, such verification shall comprise: (a) as built drawings of the implemented scheme; (b) photographs of the remediation works in progress; and(c) Certificates demonstrating that imported and/or material left in situ is free of contamination.  Thereafter the scheme shall be monitored and maintained in accordance with the approved remediation scheme.

Reason: To ensure that the risk from contamination can be managed and to accord with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Delete Condition 11

Amend Condition 14 to state:

Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved, a verification report carried out by a qualified drainage engineer shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority to demonstrate that the sustainable drainage system has been construction in accordance with the approved details pursuant to Conditions 13 and 14 above, and details of a management and maintenance plan, indicating who will on and maintain the surface water drainage elements and their associated inspection and maintenance regimes, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved management and maintenance plan.

Reason: To ensure that the sustainable drainage system is designed to technical standards and to limit flood risk and to comply with Policies CP2 and DM10 of the Surrey Heath Core Strategy and Development Management Policies 2012 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Additional condition:

Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved on site details of secure cycle storage area(s) and access thereto are to be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved the details shall be implemented in accordance with the approved plans and thereafter retained.

Reason: To ensure visual amenities are not prejudiced and to promote the use of alternative transport methods to the private car and to accord with Policies DM9 and DM11 of the Surrey Heath Core Strategy and Development Management Policies 2012.’

Some Members sought clarification regarding the change in footprint of the building and the car park.  Officers advised that the site was the same size but there would be some loss of landscaping. The proposal for the building was now squarer in shape.  There was also some concern about flooding issues. Members were also informed that there had been considerable work carried out installing balancing ponds and pumps. In addition conditions had been amended to take into account flooding concerns.

It was noted that the proposal would bring a different type of employment opportunities to the area in research and development.

Resolved that application 16/0962 be approved subject to the conditions as amended as set out in the report of the executive Head – Regulatory.

Note 1

The recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Councillor Colin Dougan 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, Vivienne Chapman, Colin Dougan, Edward Hawkins, Jonathan Lytle, David Mansfield, Max Nelson, Adrian Page, Robin Perry, Ian Sams,Victoria Wheeler and Valerie White.