Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor John Morgan. Councillor Raymond Graham was present as his substitute.

Councillor Janet Duncan declared an interest in Item 11, Padcroft Works, and explained that she would be leaving the room for the duration of that item.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2015 were agreed to be accurate.

There were no such matters.

It was agreed that all items would be considered in part one, as set out in the agenda.

Redevelopment of the site to provide a part 3, part 4 storey building  containing 30 flats (Class C3) with associated parking, landscaping and rear communal amenity space (involving the demolition of the existing public house).

Recommendation: Refusal

The Chairman explained that the officer recommendation relating to this report had been changed from refusal to approval, as a result of negotiations with the developer. The details were set out in the addendum paper.

Officers introduced the report, explaining that the application was now recommended for approval as the applicant had agreed to provide 35% affordable housing. The application was for the redevelopment of the site to provide a part three, part four storey building containing 30 flats with 31 car parking spaces. Amenity space would be provided to the rear, through a roof garden, and on balconies. The surrounding area consisted mostly of two storey dwellings, but there was also a three storey parade on a corner nearby. The proposed ridge height was, at 11.89m, one metre taller than that of the existing public house, although it did not exceed the height of the existing chimneys. A tree protection plan had been developed to safeguard the mature oak located on the site. An extension at 76 Snowden Avenue had been approved, and whilst the 45° line would be breached for two of the windows on the ground floor, the third, principal, window would not be unacceptably impacted by the proposed development. Officers also noted that whilst planning permission had been granted, it had not yet been implemented. Officers reminded members of the addendum, and asked that two further changes to the recommendation be made, firstly, that the Heads of Terms of the S.106 agreement be amended to reduce the amount of affordable housing to be delivered before the first commercial unit was occupied from 100% to 50% in order to assist the developers financial position, and secondly that the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to amend conditions, should the proposal be granted.

Petitioners made the following points:

-       The proposed development was insecure, and the car park had the potential to generate anti social behaviour;

-       The transport assessments had not taken account of the significant amount of congestion already in the area;

-       The roof garden was out of keeping with the area, was likely to generate noise pollution. Petitioners felt that its inclusion exposed the overdevelopment of the site;

-       The location of the bin store was too close to neighbours and too far from disabled units;

-       A three storey building would be out of keeping with the vast majority of houses in the area, and the resulting massing would be detrimental to the character of the area;

-       The units lacked outside amenity space;

-       The service road and car park was located on the boundary with both 60 Sutton Court Road and 5 Silver Way, which was detrimental to their amenity;

-       The building line was not in keeping with the area;

-       Neighbour's sunlight would be reduced;

-       The density was too great, considering the suburban location and low public transport accessibility;

-       The loss of the public house garden was detrimental to the area.

The applicant's agent made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Redevelopment of the site to provide 10,728sq metres of Class B1(c) and B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage and Distribution) floorspace with associated parking, servicing, access and landscaping.

Recommendation: Approval subject to a S106 Agreement

Officers introduced the report, explaining that proposal was for the redevelopment of the site to provide 10,728sq metres of Class B1(c) and B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage and Distribution) floorspace with associated parking, servicing, access and landscaping. This would be split into 6 units across 5 buildings. The site was within a designated industrial area, and whilst there were a few residential properties in the area, these were not sufficiently close to be of any concern. The Environmental Protection Unit would manage noise generation at the site. Members attention was drawn to the addendum report.

Councillors raised concerns about traffic generation, particularly from lorries, noting that this had caused complaints from residents. Officers explained that there would be improvements to the roundabout at the junction of Dawley Road and Swallowfield Way.

Following debate, the recommendation for approval was moved, seconded, and agreed by a majority of members present.

It was resolved that:

a)    The head of planning investigate whether a condition regarding traffic generation could be imposed;

b)   The application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report, and any additional condition arising from the first resolution, the negotiation of an appropriate S.106 agreement.

Approval of reserved matters relating to the appearance and the landscaping of Phase 2 of The Old Vinyl Factory Masterplan: The Material Store as required by Conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission ref. 59872/APP/2013/3775.

Recommendation: Approval

Officers introduced the report, explaining that the application was for the approval of reserved matters relating to the appearance and landscaping of Phase 2 of The Old Vinyl Factory Masterplan: The Material Store as required by Conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission ref. 59872/APP/2013/3775. The design was considered to be of a very high quality, and met the requirements of the outline permission.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded, and agreed unanimously.

It was resolved:

-       That the application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the officers report.

Creation of science laboratories above the existing West Wing, extension to existing hall/West Wing to create a multi-purpose hall, refurbishment of internal rooms, enclosure and refurbishment of the internal courtyard and alterations to manoeuvring yard and access road with associated landscape works (Application for Full Planning Permission).

Recommendation: Approval

Officers introduced the report, explaining that the application was for the creation of science laboratories above the existing west wing, an extension to existing hall/west wing to create a multi-purpose hall, refurbishment of internal rooms, enclosure and refurbishment of the internal courtyard and alterations to manoeuvring yard and access road with associated landscape works. Officers drew members attention to the addendum report and explained that the next item was an application for listed building consent relating to the same proposal.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded, and agreed unanimously.

It was resolved:

-       That the application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the officers report.

Creation of science laboratories above the existing West Wing, extension to existing hall/West Wing to create a multi-purpose hall, refurbishment of internal rooms, enclosure and refurbishment of the internal courtyard and alterations to manoeuvring yard and access road with associated landscape works (Application for Listed Building Consent).

Recommendation: Approval

Officers explained that this application was for listed building consent pursuant to the previous application, and drew members attention to the addendum.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded, and agreed unanimously.

It was resolved:

-       That the application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the officers report.

Demolition of all existing buildings on the site enclosed by Bentinck Road and Tavistock Road (as shown outlined in red on the submitted application site plan) including Globe House, Globe Court, Padcroft Works, the former Dairy Crest dairy and TiGi Warehouse and comprehensive redevelopment to provide three buildings rising from three to eight storeys comprising 308 residential units, 175 sqm of Class B1 floorspace, public and private amenity space, hard and soft landscaping and lower ground floor parking space for 293 vehicles.

Recommendation: Approval

Councillor Janet Duncan left the room prior to the consideration of this application.

Officers explained that planning permission had been granted for a large residential scheme on much of the site, but that the developer had now acquired additional land, and so sought to expand the scheme. The application was for the demolition of all existing buildings on the site enclosed by Bentinck Road and Tavistock Road including Globe House, Globe Court, Padcroft Works, the former Dairy Crest dairy and TiGi Warehouse and comprehensive redevelopment to provide three buildings rising from three to eight storeys comprising 308 residential units, 175 sqm of Class B1 floorspace, public and private amenity space, hard and soft landscaping and lower ground floor parking space for 293 vehicles. The car park location had been improved, which would create a better public realm, and wings had been introduced to the rear of the building, which stepped down towards the edge of the site. An additional floor had been introduced, but the height from ground level would not increase. Officers noted that the new scheme would deliver a greater percentage of affordable housing than the currently proposed scheme.

In response to questions from members, officers explained that the path at the rear of the development would be accessible by residents only, as suggested by Secured by Design officers.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded, and agreed unanimously.

It was resolved:

-       That the application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the officers report.