Decision:
Conditional approval
Minutes:
The Committee considered item 7 of the agenda.
Public Speaker
Simon Gardener (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer presented the report and displayed plans and photographs of the site and surrounding development. He reported the following updates:
· The numbering of the conditions in the report had been updated.
· References to “floorspace” contained in the report related to gross floorspace.
· The Environment Agency was content with the proposed condition 7 relating to drainage.
· An additional condition was proposed to restrict delivery times to between 07:30 to 17:30 hrs Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 17:00 hrs on Saturdays and no deliveries on Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays.
· Condition 17 to be amended to require vehicle access to be provided to a standard to be agreed with the Highway Authority.
He recommended approval of the application subject to the conditions listed in the report and conditions in respect of delivery hours and vehicle access.
Councillor N Lloyd, a local Member, explained that he had called in the application due to the incremental changes which had occurred as the application had progressed. He was not opposed to the application. He referred to the controversial nature of the proposal in proximity to the residential area. However, the masterplan for the site had designated the area for employment use. He considered that the proposed tree planting would mitigate the impact of the proposal and he welcomed the jobs which would be created.
The Senior Environmental Protection Officer explained that there were concerns in respect of opening and delivery hours, particularly in relation to noise from HGVs. She stated that restrictions on delivery hours could mitigate the impact and considered that the compromise suggested in the proposed planning condition was appropriate. She welcomed discussions on this matter with the applicant.
The Chairman asked the Senior Planning Officer if there had been discussions with the applicant with regard to opening hours.
The Senior Planning Officer explained that there was a difference between the hours requested by the applicant and the hours recommended by Environmental Health. This matter would be discussed with Environmental Health and the applicant. The proposed conditions set out the hours which planning officers considered to be appropriate.
Councillor N Housden stated that Screwfix served the trade. Most builders and workmen would be on site by 07:30 – 08:00 hrs and wanted to collect their materials beforehand. He considered that the proposed opening hours did not facilitate the trade at the beginning and end of the day. He considered that it was more important to control HGV movements than restrict the main business of serving the trade.
Councillor Mrs A Fitch-Tillett was pleased that the site was being developed. She considered that the conditions were appropriate. She proposed approval of this application subject to the conditions which had been recommended.
Councillor N Pearce seconded the proposal.
RESOLVED by 13 votes to 0 with 1 abstention
That this application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and subject to an additional condition to restrict delivery times to between 07:30 to 17:30 hrs Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 17:00 hrs on Saturdays and no deliveries on Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays, and an amended condition to require vehicle access to be provided to a standard to be agreed with the Highway Authority.