Issue - meetings

Section 73 application seeking Minor Material Amendment to revise Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of planning permission ref: 26134/APP/2016/1987, dated 5/7/17: Demolition of existing office building and re-development of the site to provide a 4 storey building with basement parking comprising 40 residential units with associated car parking, amenity space and landscaping, to allow replacement of car lift with access ramp, increase size of terrace over the ramp, relocate children's play area, relocation of 4 disabled spaces from surface level to basement, provision of 13 M4(2) compliant spaces with net reduction from 31 to 29 spaces, uplift of cycle space provision from 41 to 51 cycle spaces, increasing the size of the M4(3) units, additional service provision, including riser areas and plant room and car park ventilation and roof amendments to include additional PV panel provision and increase in gable eaves height by 75mm.

Recommendation: Approve + Sec 106

RESOLVED That: the application be approved subject to the addendum and a Deed of Variation detailed in the officer's report.

Section 73 application seeking Minor Material Amendment to revise Condition 2 (Approved Plans): Demolition of existing office building and re-development of the site to provide a 4-storey building with basement parking comprising 40 residential units with associated car parking, amenity space and landscaping, to allow replacement of car lift with access ramp, increase size of terrace over the ramp, relocate children's play area, relocate four disabled spaces from surface level to basement, provision of 13 M4(2) compliant spaces with net cycle spaces, increasing the size of the M4(3) units, additional service provision, including riser areas and plant room and car park ventilation and roof amendments to include additional PV panel provision and increase in gable eaves height by 75mm.

Officers presented the report and highlighted the addendum. Members were informed that permission had already been granted for the demolition of the existing office building and re-development of the site to provide a 4-storey building with basement parking comprising 40 residential units with associated car parking, amenity space and landscaping. The application sought minor material amendments to the consented scheme namely:

·         to create a ramp access into the lower ground floor car park instead of a car lift;

·         to provide 29 car parking spaces instead of 31;

·         minor alterations to the mix of units and

·         alterations to the landscaping.

Members commented that, although not ideal, the proposed amendments to the scheme were an improvement. Under the previous arrangements, disabled users of the car park would have needed to exit their vehicles, leave the site and walk along a footpath to access the residential units. The current proposal ensured that disabled users of the car park could easily access the lifts which were positioned in close proximity to the disabled car parking spaces. Councillors requested clarification as to the arrangements in place should the lifts be inoperative. It was confirmed that, in case of breakdown, users could access the site via a ramp. Members requested clarification as to the gradient of the proposed ramp. It was confirmed that the gradient would be 1:7; this was deemed to be acceptable by law and was unavoidable due to the constraints of the site.

The officer's recommendation was moved, seconded and, when put to a vote, approved by eight Councillors with one abstention.

RESOLVED That: the application be approved subject to the addendum and a Deed of Variation as detailed in the officer's report.