Agenda item

Application no - 162736 Units 68 and 69, Suttons Business Park, Suttons Park Avenue, Earley

Rcommendation: Conditional Approval

Minutes:

Proposal: Full application for the proposed erection of 1no class B2/B8 industrial unit with ancillary office space and associated car parking, landscaping and recycling building, following demolition of existing buildings.

 

Applicant: Standard Life Assurance Ltd.

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in Agenda pages 81 to 110.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

 

·       Clarification in regards to the levels of job creation possible as part of the development;

·       Agreement to provide additional parking;

·       Proposed update to plans to reflect this change;

·       Proposed additional condition relating to drainage requiring that development be implemented in full accordance with the approved plan to prevent an increased flood risk from surface water run-off.

 

Jenny Lissaman, representing the Association of Central Earley Residents (ACER), spoke in opposition to the application, citing the large size of the development and its proximity to the boundary of the site and stating that existing buildings had already been demolished.  She commented on the selection of tree plantings and the need for them to be maintained.  She questioned the colour choice of the roof and sought clarification as to whether run-off from the site would soak away as opposed to entering the local water system.  She also requested that a noise condition be added to the plan.

 

The Officer clarified that demolition was part of the application.  It was later confirmed that demolition had been approved in September 2016. In relation to landscaping and the dimensions of the building, he stated that the developer had changed the location of the building as far as possible to maximise the distance to the boundary.  He outlined the measures that had been put in place to ensure a mix of planting.  He stated that the area was a core employment area and that as such suitable for such a development.  He indicated that the colour of the roof was illustrated on the elevations in the agenda.

 

In relation to noise levels, he outlined the distances between the development and residential properties and indicated that Environmental Health had no objection to the application.  The Officer outlined the additional condition in the Members’ Update as to how it related to drainage and commented that the concerns raised had been negated by this condition.

 

In response to Members’ questions, the Service Manager, Highways and Development Management, stated that there would be a small increase in traffic but that the shift pattern used by the company would mean that this increase would not impact peak flow.  The Officer stated that there was no traffic restriction on the existing building limiting night time movements but that an amendment to the conditions could require back-up sensors in lorries to be deactivated.  He indicated the siting of the original building and clarified that the new building had a marginally higher roof line. 

 

In relation to the colour of the roof, the Officer commented that the design was of a contemporary nature and that the Council had recently approved similar applications in the area.  The Planning Department were happy with the materials chosen as indicated in the plan.  He indicated that conditions in the plan specified planting during the appropriate season and that tree protection methods would be employed.  He stated that the applicant had submitted an External Lighting Report as part of their application and that Planning and Environmental Health were happy with the findings of that report.

 

Resolved:  That application No. 162736 be approved subject to the conditions set out in Agenda pages 81 to 110 and the updated plans and additional condition as set out in the Members’ Update and an additional condition regarding the deactivation of reversing sensors.

 

 

 

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