Agenda item

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Full application for proposed change of use to provide light industrial (Use Class B1) and internal and external storage and distribution (Use Class B8) on the site with associated parking

Applicant: Palmarium Properties Limited

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 191 to 230.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·           Clarification that although the Council’s planning enforcement team are not pursuing further compliance with the two existing enforcement notices, they remain on the land and could still be enforced should it be considered expedient to do so;

·           Clarification that skip operation could only take place on site should it not include transfer of waste or an office open to the public;

·           Summary of additional comments received, and Officer responses.

Gareth Rees, resident, spoke in objection to the application. Gareth stated that the applicant had originally applied to seek permission for expansion over a larger area of the site, however they were advised to remain within the red line area at the pre-application advice phase. Gareth added that there had been many enforcement issues on the site over the years, and areas of the site had not been regenerated. Gareth stated that there had been a number of errors and omissions within the report, including no information regarding turning space for large vehicles which would have to reverse onto the main road.  Gareth was of the opinion that the parking area should be a material consideration. Gareth stated that the transport statement had not raised the issue that 0.6 miles down the road heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) could not pass round the corner properly. Gareth asked that a full transport assessment be carried out with regards to this application.

Robin Henderson, agent, spoke in support of the application. Robin recognised the unfortunate planning history with regards to this site, and stated that the applicant wanted to derive beneficial usage from the site. Robin stated that the applicant had engaged with Officers and residents in the pre-application phase, and the proposals were a low key form of development which was not in excess of previous grants regarding noise and travel considerations. Robin added that the proposals were proportional and reasonable in planning terms.

Carl Doran queried what percentage area increase of development the proposals would cause. Simon Taylor, Case Officer, stated that the proposals would cause an approximate thirty percent increase of development on-site.

Carl Doran queried how many vehicle movements would be made to and from the site each day. Judy Kelly, Highways Development Manager, stated that historically the site incurred 26 vehicle movements per day, whereas the proposed application would incur 19 vehicle movements per day to the site.

A number of Members commented that that the application site was complex, and would be easier to interpret and understand after a site visit. Stephen Conway proposed that the item be deferred, and a site visit be undertaken. This was seconded by Carl Doran and subsequently carried. Simon Weeks asked that the site be marked out for the site visit to make it easier for Members to visualise the different site and highway areas.

RESOLVED That application number 193059 be deferred to allow a site visit to be undertaken.