Agenda item

The ADP advised that he had brought the decision for a site visit before Members, as there had been significant concerns raised by local residents and from the Council’s Environmental Health Team on the impact of the proposal to residents at the Luytens Drive housing development located immediately adjacent to the proposed development at the rear Overstrand Garden Centre. He affirmed that Members were not at this time being asked to consider the application, rather were asked to consider a proposed site visit.

The ADP spoke to plans of the site, and established the relationship of the retrospective application with neighbouring properties. He recommended that Members undertake a site visit of the garden centre grounds, and of the neighbouring properties, to better rationalise the juxtaposition of host properties and to judge the veracity of arguments made. He contended that without a site visit Members may be placed in a difficult positon when asked to make a planning judgement without clearly understanding the scale and intensity of the operation and relationship between properties. The ADP advised that a site visit meeting was proposed for 21^st July 2022, rather than 28^th July 2022 as previously scheduled, as this date was favourable to Members. 

Members Debate

1. Cllr G Mancini Boyle asked if the visit could be arranged for when the garden centre is at its busiest, specifically at the weekend.

2. Cllr R Kershaw considered that HGV vehicle movements would likely occur during weekdays, and noted this was likely when issues occurred. He advised that he was away on the 21^st July, but he would make his own independent visit to the site.

3. Cllr A Fitch-Tillett – The Local Member- expressed her support for the Officers recommendation and would be pleased to welcome Members to Poppyland on 21^st July. She requested that the visit be arranged for the morning due to other commitments.

4. The Chairman advised that the proposed site visit would be scheduled for around 10.00am on 21^st July 2022, and clarified Members would need to arrange their own transportation to the site.

5. In response to Members representations, The ADP advised that the purpose of the site-visit was for Members to familiarise themselves with the layout of the development, and its relationship with neighbouring buildings. Whilst he understood why Members may wish to visit the site at its peak hours on its busiest days, he contended that this may skew Members opinions and re-affirmed the intended purpose of the visit. He affirmed when the Item was included on the agenda for determination that further detail would be included within the Officers report, and it was intended that a Member of the Environmental Health Team be in attendance to address Members questions.

6. Cllr A Yiasimi proposed acceptance of the Officers Recommendation for a site-visit. Cllr A Varley seconded.

7. In response to questions from the Chairman, The ADP advised that it was anticipated that this application would be presented for consideration by members for the August Development Committee Meeting, however there were issues which needed to be resolved between the Applicant and Officers. If not ready for the August meeting, the application would be brought to the September Meeting.

8. Cllr L Withington provided her early apologies for the 21^st July site visit, she would be on leave for this date.

IT WAS RESOLVED by 11 Votes for and 1 abstention