Agenda item

Recommendation: Conditional Approval subject to legal agreement.

Chris Bowring left the room for the duration of this item.

Proposal: Full planning application for demolition of existing B1(office) building and the erection of 2 buildings to provide 49 apartments, car parking, vehicular and pedestrian access and landscaping.

Applicant: Webb Core Offices.

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 201 to 246.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·           Additional clarification regarding parking provision;

·           Replacement of condition 18 (travel plan) with a condition regarding electric vehicle charging;

·           Additional clarification regarding the car club.

The Committee raised concerns over the lack of affordable housing provision at the proposed development. Laura Callan, Case Officer, clarified that a viability assessment had been undertaken and had concluded that it was not financially viable for the developer to provide affordable housing on site.

Carl Doran was of the opinion that the application was contrary to CP15 (loss of floor space), and felt that the parking was insufficient. Laura Callan stated that part of the existing office buildings were vacant, and the owner had struggled for some time to find a permanent occupier for the entirety of the building, and therefore there would not be a real terms loss of floor space. 

In response to Member questions regarding the viability of a car club, Judy Kelly, Highways Development Manager, stated that the site was considered a sustainable location for a car club to be implemented. Laura Callan added that a full car parking management strategy would be secured by condition.

In response to further Member queries regarding the car club, Judy Kelly stated that a similar scheme was available in Montague Park and was currently working well. Judy added that financial contributions from the developer would be put towards extending and improving the car club provision. Judy stated that more detail on the car club would be developed at a later date. 

Malcolm Richards raised concerns regarding congestion in the area, particularly at a local roundabout. Judy Kelly stated that the increased number of vehicle movements as a result of the proposed development were deemed acceptable.

RESOLVED: That application 182460 be approved, subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 202 to 210 and replaced condition 18 as set out in the Members’ Update.