Agenda item

Report of the Interim Head of Planning and Economic Development recommending that the Panel delegate approval in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

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

Conversion of existing commercial units into 24 (10 one-bed and 14 studio) units with associated parking and cycle/refuse storage (Departure from Local Plan) – description amended following validation.

Simon Reynier (City of Southampton Society), Paul Airey (agent), and Councillor Shields(ward councillor) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The presenting officer explained that the Southern Water section 5.6 should state an informative to connect to the foul and surface water disposal was requested and not a condition.  In response to Panel questioning an additional condition relating to electric vehicle charging points was added, as set out below.

Upon being put to the vote the Panel confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment.

The Panel then considered the recommendation to delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Economic Development to grant planning permission. Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that the Panel:

  (i)  confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

  (ii)  Delegated approval to the Head of Planning and Economic Development to grant planning permission subject to any amendments set out below and the completion of a S.106 Legal Agreement to secure:

a.  Financial contributions towards site specific transport contributions for highway improvements in the vicinity of the site in line with Policy SDP4 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (as amended 2015), policies CS18 and CS25 of the adopted LDF Core Strategy (as amended 2015) and the adopted SPD relating to Planning Obligations (September 2013);

b.  Either the provision of 35% affordable housing in accordance with LDF Core Strategy Policy CS15 or confirmation that the proposal complies with the requirements of the Vacant Building Credit criteria (securing development without any affordable housing) and that a review is undertaken should circumstances change;

c.  Submission of a highway condition survey to ensure any damage to the adjacent highway network attributable to the build process is repaired by the developer.

d.  Either a scheme of measures or a financial contribution to mitigate against the pressure on European designated nature conservation sites in accordance with Policy CS22 of the Core Strategy and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.

 (iii)  That the Head of Planning and Economic Development be given delegated powers to add, vary and /or delete relevant parts of the Section 106 agreement and/or conditions as necessary.

 (iv)  In the event that the legal agreement is not completed within a reasonable period following the Panel meeting, the Panel authorised Head of Planning and Economic Development to refuse permission on the ground of failure to secure the provisions of the Section 106 Legal Agreement.

  (v)  In the event that the scheme’s viability is tested prior to planning permission being issued and, following an independent assessment of the figures, it is no longer viable to provide the full package of measures set out above the Panel noted that a report will be brought back to the Planning and Rights of Way Panel for further consideration of the Planning application.

ADDITIONAL CONDITION

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS (PERFORMANCE CONDITION)

Before the use hereby approved first comes into use a minimum of two electric vehicle charging points shall be provided on site and rendered operational in accordance with a specification to be first agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The charging points shall be thereafter retained and maintained as approved.

REASON: To combat the effects of climate change and reduce the emission of pollutants in accordance with policy CS20