In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, councillors are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

The following disclosures of interests were made:

The Planning Code of Conduct requires that councillors who have been lobbied, received correspondence, or been approached by an interested party regarding any planning matter should declare this at the meeting which discusses the matter. Councillors should declare if they have been lobbied at this point in the meeting.

No lobbying declarations were made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 20 July 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20 July 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider report PES/374aof the Head of Economy and Planning.

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT.

The Committee considered report PES/374a of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

Proposed demolition of existing buildings and construction of a new warehouse building with ancillary offices, associated service yard, parking, access alterations, infrastructure, landscaping and ancillary works.

Councillors Ali, Burrett, and P Smith declared they had visited the site.

The Principal Planning Officer provided a verbal summation of the application which sought permission for the construction of a 7,399sqm warehouse for class B8 use at a site in the Manor Royal Employment Area, currently occupied by a warehouse with a larger floorspace.  The Committee was updated that, since the publication of the report, further discussions with the Council’s Drainage Officer had led to an amendment to condition 3 as well as an additional condition, which formed condition 22.

Richard Cotton, the applicant (Lakenorth Ltd), spoke in support of the application.  Matters raised included:

·         The existing warehouse was considered no longer fit for purpose.  The proposed development was of a high quality design and the redevelopment would create jobs and contribute to the Manor Royal Employment Area.

·         Included in the proposed design were environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient features such as solar PV panels and air source heat pumps.

·         The development was policy compliant.

The Committee then considered the application.

The Committee heard that the proposed design was slightly taller and the space more uniform than the existing warehouse, which was disjointed and therefore less fit for purpose.  The Officer confirmed that the total floorspace of the proposed building was 7,399sqm.

On receipt of a query regarding the Transport Assessment, the Officer confirmed that the expected reduction in vehicle movements for the proposed development was made in comparison to the existing warehouse if it were fully occupied and in use – not if it were vacant or partially vacant.  The assessment was based on the building’s floorspace.

Following discussion regarding parking at the site, it was heard that the overall number of proposed parking spaces met policy standards, and that it was a matter for the future operator to decide on the balance of spaces for cars, vans, and HGVs.  The Officer confirmed that the parking arrangements of those vehicles using the building could only be controlled on-site.

The Committee noted that there was a shortfall in the proposed number of replacement trees to be planted.  This was however to be addressed, subject to any below-ground services, by planting on the adjacent highway verge and by an off-site contribution to tree planting through the Section 106 agreement.  Committee members praised the various sustainability measures included in the design.

RESOLVED

Permit subject to the conclusion of a Section 106 agreement, the conditions set out in report PES/374a and amended condition 3 and additional condition 22 as follows:

3. No development shall take place, including any works of demolition, until a Construction Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the approved Plan shall be implemented and adhered to throughout the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider report PES/374bof the Head of Economy and Planning.

RECOMMENDATION to APPROVE.

The Committee considered report PES/374b of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

Approval of reserved matters in relation to appearance and scale pursuant to CR/2020/0588/OUT for the erection of a part 3 and part 4 storey building comprising of 5 x 1no. bedroom flats and 15 x 2no. bedroom flats, of which 2 no. will be designated as affordable housing, following the demolition of existing semi-detached dwellings, the improvement of an access from Brighton Road, the creation of a new vehicular access from Stonefield Close and associated works and landscaping.

Councillors Ali, Burrett, Jaggard, and P Smith declared they had visited the site.

The Group Manager (Development Management) provided a verbal summation of the application which related to the reserved matters (appearance and scale) following an earlier outline application for the development of 20 flats previously permitted by the Committee.  The Officer updated the Committee that, since the publication of the report, there had been minor changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.  A brief overview of the changes was given and it was clarified that none of these altered the application or wording in the report.

The Committee then considered the application.

Following a query from a Committee member regarding the application process, the Officer gave a summary of the planning history for the application site.  It was clarified that the planning system allows for the option to submit an outline application to establish the principle of development with a reduced level of detail, ahead of a later application for approval of reserved matters.  It was heard that the outline application for this development (CR/2020/0588/OUT) had covered the access and layout and agreed the affordable housing provision which was for two units.

Committee members recognised that no objections to the application before them had been made by members of the public.

RESOLVED

Approve subject to the conditions set out in report PES/374b.