Agenda item

Report of the Planning and Development Manager recommending that delegated authority be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address, attached.

The Panel considered the report of the Planning and Development Manager recommending delegated authority be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

Redevelopment of the site to provide 19,132 square metres of employment floorspace in three buildings (Units 1 and 3 to be Storage and Distribution Use (Class B8), Unit 2 to be Business Use (Class B1 c) and/or Storage and Distribution Use (Class B8) with an area of open space, associated landscaping, servicing areas and car parking with vehicular access from Test Lane.

Eugene McManus, Andrew Hannam (local residents/objecting) Ashley Chambers (agent), Jerry Vigus (supporter), Neil Dickinson (applicant) and Councillors Pope and Whitbread (ward councillors / objecting) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The presenting officer reported:

·  An amendment to the Habitats Regulation Assessment previously endorsed by the Panel with the following, additional wording, to be added to the section on ‘Mobilisation of Contaminants’ on Page 71 of the agenda.  The new wording to read:

o  “The revised design incorporates the use of three underground tanks to accommodate surface water runoff.  Installation of these tanks has the potential to mobilise contaminants which could enter ground water.  To minimise the risk to ground water, all contaminated materials encountered during the installation process will be excavated and replaced with Type 1 material or topsoil.  This will ensure that water quality in the neighbouring River Test will not be altered by the proposals.”

RECORDED VOTE to grant planning permission

FOR:  Councillors Denness, Coombs, Houghton and Tucker

AGAINST:  Councillor Wilkinson

RESOLVED

  (i)  the Panel confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment on pages 65-76 of the report, subject to the amendments set out above;

  (ii)  delegated to the Planning and Development Manager approval to grant planning permission subject to a S.106 Legal Agreement and the amended condition set out below;

 (iii)  that the agreed draft Section 106 agreement would be referred to the Panel for approval before the planning permission is issued. (Note: the Panel confirmed that no further consultation with local residents or Ward Councillors was required on this matter).

Amended Condition

03. APPROVAL CONDITION - Landscaping, lighting & means of enclosure detailed plan [Pre-Commencement Condition]

Notwithstanding the submitted details before the commencement of any site works a detailed landscaping scheme and implementation timetable shall be submitted, which includes:

i.  proposed finished ground levels or contours; means of enclosure; car parking layouts; other vehicle pedestrian access and circulations areas, hard  surfacing materials, structures and ancillary objects (refuse bins, lighting columns etc.);

ii.  planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/planting densities where appropriate including semi-mature tree planting;

iii.  an accurate plot of all trees to be retained and to be lost. Any trees to be lost shall be replaced on a favourable basis (a two-for one basis unless circumstances dictate otherwise and agreed in advance);

iv.  details of any proposed boundary treatment, including retaining walls; and

v.  a landscape management scheme.

Any trees, shrubs, seeded or turfed areas which die, fail to establish, are removed or become damaged or diseased, within a period of 5 years from the date of planting shall be replaced by the Developer in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation. The Developer shall be responsible for any replacements for a period of 5 years from the date of planting.

The approved hard and soft landscaping scheme (including parking) for the whole site shall be carried out prior to occupation of the building or during the first planting season following the full completion of building works, whichever is sooner. The approved scheme implemented shall be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years following its complete provision.

Reason:

To improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of the development in the interests of visual amenity, to ensure that the development makes a positive contribution to the local environment and, in accordance with the duty required of the Local Planning Authority by Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990