Agenda and minutes

The Members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    A copy of the summary presentations from public participants invited to speak (previously circulated); and

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2017 (previously circulated).

None.

Apologies were received from Mr A Fry, Mr J A D O'Donnell, Mrs J A Potter, and Prof J W Raine.   

Dr C Hotham declared an interest in Agenda item 5 as a member of the Cycle Touring Club

The Council has put in place arrangements which usually allow one speaker each on behalf of objectors, the applicant and supporters of applications to address the Committee.  Speakers are chosen from those who have made written representations and expressed a desire to speak at the time an application is advertised.  Where there are speakers, presentations are made as part of the consideration of each application.

Those presentations made are recorded at the Minute to which they relate.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2017. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations 1992 (as amended) for proposed construction of Worcester Southern Link Road Phase 4 (SLR4), including dualling of A4440 between Ketch and Powick roundabouts with foot and cycleway improvements, new road bridges alongside existing Powick Common Viaduct and Carrington Bridge and cycle / footbridge on land at Hams Way at Worcester Southern Link Road, A4440 Temeside Way, Worcester.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site, consultations and representations.

The report set out the Development Manager's comments in relation to alternatives, water environment and impact upon the floodplain, traffic and highway safety and impacts upon the Public Rights of Way, ecology and biodiversity, landscape character and visual impact, residential amenities (air quality, dust, noise, vibrations and lighting), historic environment, and other matters – economic impact, tourism, crime, contaminated land, materials and waste, loss of agricultural land and common land, impacts upon services, cumulative effects, consultation, and Human Rights Act 1998.

The Development Manager concluded that the principle of the proposed development in this location was acceptable and accorded with Planning Policy SWDP 4 I(i) of the South Worcestershire Development Plan; and there was a compelling need for the proposal.

The Development Manager acknowledged that the NPPF afforded significant weight to sustainable economic growth and considered that the proposal would provide substantial sustainable economic development benefits in accordance with the NPPF.

The applicant had outlined the main alternatives studied and the main reasons for the choice made; taking into account the environmental effects, therefore, the approach taken to the consideration of alternatives was considered to be acceptable.

As flood levels were dominated by the existing flow constraints provided by the two viaducts, the proposed works to the south of Temeside Way (A4440) would have limited effect on the baseline flooding conditions. Subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions relating to surface water, a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), detailed design of the flood compensation area, detailed design of the Carrington Bridge, impacts on siltation and navigation hazards modelled, and assessment of channel hydrography and a SuDS Management Plan, it was considered that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact upon the water environment. It was considered that the planning application accorded with Policies SWDP 28 and SWDP 29 of the adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan, relating to flooding and the protection of the water environment.

The proposal would lead to increased average speeds along the A4440 and reduced queuing, resulting in significant journey time savings. Worcester city centre would experience reduced traffic congestion due to a redistribution of traffic to the A4440. The Development Manager was satisfied that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact upon Public Rights of Way, traffic or highway safety, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, in accordance with Policy SWDP 4 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

Direct impact had been identified on a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 985.