Agenda and minutes

The Members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

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

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2019 (previously circulated).

None.

Apologies were received from Mr R M Bennett and Prof J W Raine.

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 9 July 2019. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a planning application made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to vary condition 2 of planning permission: 14/000045/CM "Proposed extension to existing Waste Transfer Station Building" to amend the design of the building extension and omission of the proposed  2 metre high wall at Digaway and Clearaway Ltd, Grove House Yard, Tewkesbury Road, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire.

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 Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy’s comments in relation to Landscape Character and Visual Impacts, Residential Amenity, and Other Matters – Water Environment and Flood Risks, Traffic and Highway Safety, and Ecology and Biodiversity.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the applicant had stated that during the construction of the Waste Transfer Station building extension, two minor alterations to the original design became necessary. These were amendments to the design of the Waste Transfer Station building extension, so that the south-east corner of the building was reduced in size by approximately 18 square metres, relocation of the roller shutter door, and the emission of a proposed 2 metre high visual screen wall to the south of the building extension. However, the applicant was proposing a close boarded acoustic fence, measuring approximately 2 metres high, to be installed to the south and west of the extension building. As such this application sought to vary condition 2 (approved drawings list) of the planning permission 14/000045/CM.

The applicant stated that during construction, it was noted that circulation space on the eastern side of the building was limited and the decision was taken to reduce the floor area of the building and the repositioned roller shutter door opening provides a more convenient ingress and egress to the building. The applicant also stated that to construct a wall to the south of the building extension would significantly limit the useable space within the yard to the detriment of the operational arrangements of the business.

Based on the advice of the County Landscape Officer and Malvern Hills District Council, it was considered that this application would not have an adverse or detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the local area, subject to the imposition of appropriate extant conditions.

Based upon the advice of Worcestershire Regulatory Services and the Environment Agency, it was considered that this application would have no adverse noise, dust or odour impacts on residential amenity or that of human health, subject to the imposition of the relevant extant conditions, including a dust management plan and conditions requiring the installation of the proposed acoustic fencing, and high speed roller shutter door.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Policies WCS 1, WCS 2, WCS 3, WCS 6, WCS 8, WCS 9, WCS 10, WCS 11, WCS 12, WCS 14 and WCS 15 of the Adopted Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1031.

The Committee considered a proposed change of use from former children's home (Use Class C2) to family contact (Use Class D1) and office (Use Class B1), the construction of nine additional car parking spaces, one motorcycle space and installation of a bike shelter at 45 Downsell Road, Redditch, Worcestershire.

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 Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy’s comments in relation to the Location of the Development, Visual Impact and Residential Amenity, Water Environment, Ecology and Biodiversity, Traffic and Highway Safety, and Other Matters – Crime and Safety, and Bin Storage and Recycling.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the proposed development would be a local hub for providing family contact services as well as being an operational base for social working teams dealing with vulnerable children within the north and east of the County (Redditch, eastern parts of Bromsgrove and northern Wychavon).

The applicant stated that the family contact team and social workers worked closely together to support families. Enabling these teams to be co-located promoted opportunities for formal and informal discussion and information sharing between staff and as such improved joint working. Its location and transport links made Downsell Road an accessible facility for families and carers, and was ideal in terms of reach for these areas as social workers would be able to quickly access these areas via the A448. A town centre location would potentially create delays in accessing other places in the County or attending urgent enquiries, particularly at peak times. The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy considered that in this instance the proposal would be appropriately located to serve the needs and priorities of the service and would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area.

The County Landscape Officer had raised no objections to the proposal, and minimal changes were proposed to the exterior of the building, with the key changes being the extension of the car parking area and removal of a cherry tree. In view of this, it was considered that the proposal would not have an adverse or detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the local area or residential amenity.

North Worcestershire Water Management and Severn Trent Water Limited had both raised no objections. It was considered that the proposal would have no adverse effects on the water environment, subject to the imposition of an appropriate condition regarding the car park extension to be permeable tarmac.

Based on the advice of the County Ecologist and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, it was considered that subject to the imposition of an appropriate condition, the proposed development would have no adverse impacts on the ecology and biodiversity at the site or in the surrounding area, and would enhance the application site’s value for biodiversity.

Based on the advice of the advice from the County Highways Officer, the Head of Strategic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1032.