Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated); and

B.    The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014 (previously circulated).

Mr I Hopwood for Mr A Roberts.

Apologies were received from Mr J Baker, Mr A Roberts and Mr R J Sutton.

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.

None.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and County Planning General Regulations 1992 for planning permission for the erection of a 6 classroom extension of the existing first school at The Bengeworth Academy, Kings Road, Evesham, 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 Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to landscape character and appearance of the area, residential amenity, the water environment, traffic and highways safety, the public right of way and ecology.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that given the single-storey nature, the complimentary design and siting of the proposed extension approximately 20 metres from the southern boundary of the school site and subject to the imposition of a condition requesting a landscape planting scheme, it was not considered that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the street scene or the character and appearance of the area in accordance with Policy GD1 and Policy ENV1 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning did not consider that there would be any adverse impact on residential amenity arising from this proposal in accordance with Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

Subject to the imposition of a condition relating to an integrated SuDS design, the Head of Economic Development and Planning was satisfied that the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the water environment or flood risk in accordance with Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning did not consider that the proposal would have any adverse impact on highways safety in accordance with Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Local Plan. The proposal would not have any adverse impact on the adjacent public right of way. It was considered that the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area in accordance with Policy ENV6 of the Wychavon District Local Plan.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policy GD1; GD2; ENV1; ENV6 of the Wychavon District Local Plan, it was considered that the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

The representative of the Head of Economic Development and Planning commented that members had visited the site and observed the location of the proposed extension, the proximity of the new housing developments to the north-east and south of the site and the grass swales. Members were also driven along Offenham Road to observe the location of the proposed new roundabout access to the school site.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         It was reported that the local councillor (who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 888.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and County Planning General Regulations 1992 for planning permission for the change of use of Redditch Library to a Mixed Use Development including a Library, offices, a Children's Service Area and Partnership Agency Office accommodation at 15 Market Place, 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 Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to the provision of mixed use, the internal layout, amenity, the character and appearance of the local area, ecology and traffic and highway safety.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that the proposed uses were acceptable in this proposed location and the facilities provided were adequate in accordance with Policy C(CF).1 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning was satisfied that the space allocated for the Library would be adequate in accordance with Policy C(CF).1 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan and that there would be no adverse impact on the amenities of the surrounding area.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning was satisfied that the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area in accordance with Policy B(BE).14 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan and that the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on highway safety.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policy B(BE).13; Policy B(BE).14; Policy C(CF).1 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan and Policy BDP 1; Policy BDP 19 of the Draft Bromsgrove District Plan (formerly Core Strategy), it was considered that the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

The representative of the Head of Economic Development and Planning requested that submitted drawing number AD-02 relating to disability access which was omitted from condition c) of the recommendation be added to the permission, should it be granted.  

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         There was no reason to object to the proposal in planning terms. However the rationale for the intensification of the use of the library space in a town the size of Redditch at a time when libraries required more space for access to IT facilities should be questioned. In addition, the arguments put forward by the applicant to respond to complaints about a lack of quiet study space set out in the design of the building were weak 

·         Fifty percent of the public space at the library was being lost to accommodate office staff who would not be manning the library. There was also a fifty percent reduction in the number of library staff.  In addition Citizens Advice Bureau staff would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 889.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the temporary change of use of a section of a field to a temporary site compound. The proposed temporary site compound measures approximately 4,310 square metres. It would be used to store materials, vehicles and welfare facilities associated with undertaking of works to alleviate internal foul water flooding in six properties on Leamington Road, Broadway at Land off Bibsworth Lane, Broadway, Worcestershire.

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

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to visual impact, impact upon the Cotswold AONB and residential amenity, water environment, ecology and biodiversity, traffic and highway safety, archaeology, overhead lines and sustainable development.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that the temporary site compound would be ancillary to and facilitate the construction of essential sewerage infrastructure, which would alleviate internal foul water flooding at six properties on Leamington Road, Broadway, in accordance with PPS 10 and the NPPF.

It was considered that subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, the proposed development would have no detrimental impact upon residential amenity and the character and appearance of the local area, including the wider AONB due its design, size, location and duration.

Based on the advice of the County Ecologist and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, it was considered that the proposed development would not have any adverse impacts on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

Based on the advice of the Environment Agency and Wychavon District Council, it was considered that the proposal would not have an adverse effect on the water environment. The Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that there would be no adverse impacts on traffic, or highway safety.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Policies WCS 1, WCS 3, WCS 6, WCS 8, WCS 9, WCS 10 and WCS 12 of the adopted Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Saved Policies GD.2, ENV1, ENV2, ENV5, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV19, SUR1, SUR2, and ECON5 of the adopted Wychavon District Local Plan, it was considered the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         It was reported that the local councillor had indicated her support for the application

·         The proposed flood alleviation measures at the site were necessary and the applicant would require a temporary compound for vehicles to store the associated materials, vehicles and welfare facilities while the work was going on. Although the concerns of the local residents were acknowledged, the arrangements were for a temporary period and permission should be granted

·         It was important the site was monitored to ensure that the applicant met its contractual obligations to complete the work on time.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 890.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 for a proposed new service access onto the school field from the adjacent sports centre access road at Blakedown C of E Primary School, Birmingham Road, Blakedown, Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

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

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to the Green Belt, highway safety, and other matters.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that the development of a permanent vehicle access onto the school playing field for maintenance and emergency vehicles is acceptable. It is considered that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the amenity of the surrounding area or a detrimental impact on highway safety.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees, members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Saved Policies GB.1 and GB.2 of the Wyre Forest District Local Plan, Policy CP01 of the Wyre Forest District Core Strategy and Policies SAL.PFSD1, SAL.DPL12, SAL.UP1 and SAL.UP9 of the Wyre Forest District Council Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD), the Head of Economic Development and Planning considered the proposal would not cause any demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety and that planning permission should be granted subject to the imposition of conditions.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

•       The local councillor queried whether the applicant had permission from the owners of the site to use the private access track and expressed concern that the landowner could deny access to the site at any stage. The representative of the Head of Economic Development and Planning commented that the applicant was required to serve notice on the landowner as part of the planning process. There was always a possibility that the landowner could withdraw access rights but in land-use terms this was no impediment to granting planning permission   

•       The local councillor stated that maintenance of the track was carried out by the landowner and Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council had contributed to the maintenance costs. The Parish Council would like an assurance that the County Council would make a contribution to the costs should the road be damaged. The representative of Head of Economic Development and Planning responded that it was anticipated that the access track would only be used once or twice a month. In the long term, any work required to repair the damage to the track was a private contractual matter between the applicant and the landowner

•       The representative of the County Highways Officer added that any damage to the track by construction vehicles would be addressed by the County Council but not thereafter. It was very difficult to prove which vehicle had been responsible for damaging the track and therefore it was very  ...  view the full minutes text for item 891.

The meeting ended at 10.53am.