Issue - meetings

Erection of 7 x two bedrooms flats and 2 x three bedrooms flats and associated external works following demolition of the existing building.

Description

Erection of 7 x two bedrooms flats and 2 x three bedrooms flats and associated external works following demolition of the existing building.

Decision

The Committee noted a presentation from the Planning Development Officer.

The Committee was addressed by an objector to the Application.

The following points were raised by the Committee:

Size and scale of building: Members spoke about the size of the proposed residential unit and raised concerns regarding the impact on its neighbouring units.

Privacy to neighbouring residents: Members raised concerns regarding the proposed development and the loss in private amenity space that this may cause to the neighbouring housing units.

Presence of badgers: Members noted concerns regarding the presence of badgers around the location of the proposed development. The proposed site is not formed of any special conservation area and is not regarded as a heightened habitat site. It was noted that as a protected species, any badgers found to be living at the site would be accommodated on obtaining a Natural England License.

The Officers recommendation was to refuse the Application.

A number of additional conditions were suggested by the Planning Development Officer to be added in the event that the Planning Inspectorate was minded to allow the appeal and approve the Application. These were to read:

Condition(s):

(1)          To include security lighting which should be low level and downwards facing and not aimed to the rear of the garden.

(2)          To complete an updated survey of the location of badger sets. If a set was to be affected by the development an application should be made to Natural England.

(3)          To implement screening restricted planting and additional screening writing along the end of the site.

(4)          No development including any works of demolition or preparation works prior to building operations shall take place on site until a Construction Transport Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period and shall include:

a)            Parking for vehicles of site personnel, operatives and visitors

b)            Loading and unloading of plant and materials

c)            Storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development

d)            Programme of works (including measures for traffic management)

e)            Provision of boundary security hoarding behind any visibility zones

f)             Wheel washing facilities

g)            Measures to control the emissions of dust and dirt during construction

h)            A scheme for the recycling/disposing of waste resulting from demolition and construction works

i)             Hours of operation.

Informative(s):

(1)          The applicant is reminded that it is their responsibility to enter into an agreement with the owners of the road.

These additional conditions were to be added to those already listed on the report in the event of the Application being approved.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that:

The Planning Committee confirmed that the Application would be REFUSED and would be passed on to the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State.