Agenda item

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations 1992 for a change of use from mixed use D1 (Libraries) and B1 (Offices) to mixed use D1 (Libraries), B1 (Offices) and A2 (Financial and Professional Services) at Redditch Library.

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 reduction in library floorspace, the location of the development, traffic and highway safety and other matters – storage and collection of waste, drainage, and indicative plans.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the proposal would be acceptable in terms of the overall loss of floorspace in accordance with Policies CS.5 and C(CF).1 because the applicant stated that there would be no reduction in the provision of core library services. Furthermore, the proposal would contribute to protecting the library service by assisting the applicant in meeting their savings targets.

The proposal would be acceptable in terms of the location of the development because Policies CS.7 and E(TCR).1 directed development that would attract large numbers of people and public office provision respectively towards Redditch town centre. Policy CS.7 also indicated that the proposal would be acceptable in terms of traffic and highways safety because Redditch Library was located in a sustainable town centre location.

In terms of other matters, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy considered that arrangements for waste, drainage and the indicative plans were acceptable in terms of the development plan.

Taking in to account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Policies CS.5, CS.7, B(BE).13, B(BE).14, B(BE).28, E(TCR).1, E(TCR).4, C(CF).1 and C(T).12 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3 2006 and Policies 1, 2, 5, 15, 20, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38 and 39 of the Draft Borough of Redditch Local Plan No. 4, it was considered the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

Mr P Blaydon an objector to the proposal was unable to attend the meeting to read out his presentation. The Chairman allowed the members of the Committee a few moments to read his presentation summary.

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

·         In response to a query about the capacity of the large meeting rooms, Mrs Adorisio from Place Partnership acting on behalf of the applicant commented that the meeting rooms had been designed to be as flexible as possible. Bigger groups could be accommodated in those meeting rooms

·         Would the proposals to reduce library space have an impact on the number of books? The representative of the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy advised that there was no intention to reduce book storage and mobile shelving and staff had confirmed that there would be no impact on the availability of books

·         There was no objection to this application in planning terms and there could be an additional benefit of people attending the Jobcentre Plus being able to access the library

·         The application should be approved on the basis that it was supported by the local councillor and the availability of books and space for public use had been maintained

·         In response to a concern about the amount of quiet study areas available at the library, Mrs Adorisio confirmed that quiet study areas and computers would be made available in the building

·         In response to a concern about the impact on the library service of other uses in the building, the representative of the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy commented that these type of dual-use arrangements already existed successfully in other libraries in the County

·         The representative of the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy confirmed that the library shelving was moveable to allow the creation of a large open space if required.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted for a change of use from mixed use D1 (Libraries) and B1 (Offices) to mixed use D1 (Libraries), B1 (Offices) and A2 (Financial and Professional Services) at Redditch Library, subject to the following conditions:

a)    The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission;

b)    The permission enures for the benefit of Worcestershire County Council only; and

c)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the drawing titled "Location Plan" (Ref. BW 20013L/R/PL 01).