Agenda item

The SPO introduced the officer’s report and recommendation for approval. He outlined the site’s location, relationship with neighbouring properties including Grade II listed buildings, existing and proposed floor plans and elevations, use of materials, and photographs of the site.

The key issues for consideration were the principle of development, design, amenity, protecting and enhancing the historic environment, and planning balance.

Public Speakers

Maggie Prior – Holt Town Council

Members debate and questions.

      i.        The Local Member – Cllr M Batey –proposed acceptance of the officer’s recommendation and asked, should the application be approved, that the contractors be mindful of local businesses when undertaking their work to minimise disruption.

     ii.        Cllr A Varley thanked the case office for his report and stated that as a Local Authority, NNDC took pride in its public facilities. He noted an absence of environmental consideration in the design of the scheme, and asked officers for greater detail on the environmental aspects of the proposal.

    iii.        The DM noted that there was nothing explicitly clear in the application what was being done to satisfy environmental policy requirements, though that was not to say that this policy had not been considered in the application.

   iv.        Cllr A Varley thanked the DM for his comments, but stated this hadn’t moved the matter forward. He affirmed the Council should ensure that its facilities were of a high environmental standard and consideration given into the Council’s carbon footprint. 

     v.        The DM advised that the building would have to comply with building regulations as a minimum. It was a judgment call for the committee whether the application complies with policy, which officers were satisfied it would.

   vi.        Cllr A Brown seconded the officer’s recommendation for approval. He confirmed that updating of facilities was a core feature in the corporate plan, though noted this application had arisen due to damage to the structure. Cllr A Brown stated that the Council’s capital programme and the updating of its public facilities was likely the envy of many other local authorities. He stated that the concerns of local businesses needed to be considered, and whilst there was not a proposed management plan as there may otherwise been for a larger development, the effect of noise and highways matters were important considerations.

  vii.        Cllr V Holliday as the Local Member for coastal villages which used Holt as a well-loved shopping centre, welcomed the application, especially the inclusion of changing places toilets. She asked if consideration had been given over the risk of anti-social behaviour and vandalism of the facilities, as this had been an issue elsewhere in the district.

 viii.        The SPO advised that from a planning perspective the council had limited control over vandalism. It was a case of educating the public about preserving and respecting facilities for the good of the community.

   ix.        The DM advised that vandalism was an issue the Council had faced at other sites which had taken facilities out of action until repairs were completed. Whilst not expressed in the application, the DM felt assured that the Property Services Team would have taken the replaceability and durability of items into the design of the scheme to ensure quick repair of facilities.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED by 11 votes for.

That planning application PF/23/1672 be APPROVED in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.

The meeting was adjourned at 11.05am and reconvinced at 11.16am.