Agenda item

Part refurbishment and part demolition of existing College buildings to provide a total of 25,062m² Gross Internal Area (GIA) Class D1 (education) accommodation (of which 10,327m² (GIA) comprises new build floorspace), associated sports facilities, ancillary accommodation, access, car parking, servicing and associated landscaping.

Recommendation : Approval subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

Part refurbishment and part demolition of existing College buildings to provide a total of 25,062m² Gross Internal Area (GIA) Class D1 (education) accommodation (of which 10,327m² (GIA) comprises new build floorspace), associated sports facilities, ancillary accommodation, access, car parking, servicing and associated landscaping.

1127/APP/2009/443

In accordance with the constitution a representative of the petitioners in support of the application addressed the meeting.

The petitioner in support of the application made the following points.

• The proposal had been amended to take account of a change in funding for the project.
• The strategy was for the implementation of an effective scheme with the funding available.
• The basic change was for Blocks B & C to be retained and upgraded.
• The College had worked closely with officers to take into account and respect the importance of the setting of the Lido.
• The main change was for the repositioning of the Sports Hall and the retention of blocks B & C and the link between the blocks.
• There had been problems of circulation within the College and access to the Sports Hall this proposal would be an improvement.
• The proposal would assist in the evacuation of the building if an incident occurred.
• A lift is being included, which would improve access for people with disabilities.
• The changing facilities had been relocated with direct access to the cycle storage and the building would now be fit for purpose.
• The social and recreational facilities would be enhanced.
• The application was sensitive to the access via Gatting Way as construction traffic would only use this access during the construction of Phase A.
• The construction technique being used would minimise the amount of construction on site and would reduce the potential disruption.
• There would be a dedicated route for parking on site and a Bus route  had been changed to pass the College. 
• There would be no additional traffic using Gatting Way.

Clarification was sought on what additional parking had been provided for the displacement of students and staff as a result of site workers parking on site.

Members were informed that the college had been actively reducing the number of parking permits being issues.  The parking would also be reduced through the Green Travel Plan.  All parking during the construction period was to be contained within the site.

In answer to a question raised in relation to the abnormal load deliveries via Gatting Way it was confirmed that this would only be during the construction of Phase A.

A member asked for a condition to be added for details of the routes to be used by staff, students and construction traffic to b e provided prior to development commencing.  This was agreed by the committee.

A member raised concerns in relation to the previous application considered by the committee in 2009 and the conditions added by members at that time had not been included.   One of the conditions added required the introduction of a one way system accessing the site in Park Road and exiting from Gatting Way.  This condition was added to reduce the number of vehicle movements on Gatting Way to protect residents.  It was suggested that a 2 way system should only be allowed during Phase A works and that Phases B & C should not proceed until a 1 way system was in place.  

Officers advised that the main issue to consider was whether the additional traffic from the south car park would warrant a change to a 1 way system.  A junction analysis had been carried out and had been taken into consideration when assessing the traffic implications.  During peak hours there would be a maximum of 3 or 4 cars leaving the site.

Members still had concerns in relation to the number of vehicle movements taking into consideration the part-time staff and visitors to the college.  It was moved and seconded that the application be deferred to enable members to visit the site to assess the traffic issue on site.  On being put to the vote a site visit was agreed.

Resolved – That the application be Deferred to enable Members to make a site visit.