Agenda item

Retention and alteration of 4 shipping containers for office use (Use Class E(g)(i)) with associated parking (Part Retrospective)

Recommendations: Approval

RESOLVED:

1.    That the application be approved;

2.    That the Head of Planning be delegated authority to strengthen conditions relating to site access and hours of use.

Officers introduced the report, detailing an application seeking permission for the retention and alteration of 4 shipping containers for office use (Use Class E(g)(i)) with associated parking (Part Retrospective). Members were reminded that the application had previously been deferred to allow for a site visit, which had subsequently been held. The addendum was highlighted, which suggested an additional condition relating to vehicle access on the service road.

Officers advised that the proposal was considered acceptable on visual grounds and would not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity to neighbouring occupiers. Furthermore,  the proposal would not have a detrimental impact upon highway safety. Therefore, the application was recommended for approval.

By way of written submission, Councillor Jan Sweeting addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor, making the following points:

·         Although conditions have been placed on the use of the 4 shipping containers to ensure that they will only be used as office space, the recent relaxed planning rules could mean that use my change in the future to living space, so the Council could be giving approval to future, “beds in sheds.”

·         There have been a number of concerns expressed by near neighbours, which have been included in the Officer’s report.  These include the area’s stated use as an overflow car park for the café, that the containers are not in keeping with the surrounding area and that the use of the offices will mean even more cars in this already very heavily congested area.

·         The area experiences acute parking problems, which are a daily occurrence in Colham Mill Road, adjacent to the café, and at the entrance to where the 4 containers are situated.   There are only a very few car park spaces at the café, made even fewer by the recent alteration of car park space into an outside seating area, and so some customers park their cars over the adjacent pavements which are then blocked so that pedestrians cannot pass.  The parking problems are made worse each Friday, when worshippers attend Friday Prayers at the Mosque close by.

·         Colham Mill Road is the only entrance to the whole of the Garden City Estate, so any additional cars being parked in the vicinity to serve the new offices will add to the overall car congestion.

·         To approve the use of shipping containers as offices in a residential area would set an unfortunate precedent.

Councillor Janet Duncan addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor, making the following points:

·         The points raised by Councillor Sweeting were accurate. Parking was a problem in the area, which would only be exacerbated should; the proposal be approved.

·         Cars entering the site could be placed in danger due to the abundance of parking cars.

·         The site was located close to an area of Special Local Character as not in keeping with the surrounding area.

·         The site was located close to residential housing and could result in noise and light pollution for neighbouring properties.

Members queries whether the site had sufficient toilet facilities. Officers advised that there were no polices that required toilet facilities on private premises.

Officers also confirmed that the site was not in the area of Special Local Character referred to by Councillor Duncan, and highlighted that conditions were proposed that would limit use of the site to office use, as well as its hours of use. It was reiterated that it was the officer’s opinion that there were no grounds to refuse the application.

Members supported the officer’s recommendation but suggested that conditions relating to access via the gate at the rear of the site, and the sites hours of use (to prohibit use on Sundays and bank holidays, etc.), be strengthened.

The officer’s recommendation, inclusive of the strengthening of conditions relating to rear access and hours of use, was moved, seconded and when put to a vote, agreed by a vote of 4 to 2.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the application be approved;

2.    That the Head of Planning be delegated authority to strengthen conditions relating to site access and hours of use.