Democracy in Crawley

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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms A & B - Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Email: Democratic.Services@crawley.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed those present to the first meeting of the forthcoming municipal year, especially newly elected Councillors and those Councillors returning to the Committee.

2.

Disclosures of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

No disclosures of interests were made.

 

Following a query from a Committee Member, and with particular reference to the Town Hall application, CR/2017/0997/OUT, item 6 on the agenda for this meeting, the Legal Services Manger advised that all members of the Committee had received a briefing note prior to the meeting regarding pre-determination and bias.  It was each Councillors’ responsibility to consider the advice provided and declare any relevant interest accordingly.  Further guidance relating to predisposition, predetermination and bias were contained within the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters.

3.

Lobbying Declarations

The Planning Code of Conduct requires Councillors who have been lobbied, received correspondence or been approached by an interested party with respect to 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 agenda.

 

Minutes:

The following lobbying declaration was made by a Councillor:

 

Councillor J Tarrant had been lobbied regarding application CR/2017/0974/FUL.

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 9 April 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 April 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

5.

Planning Application CR/2017/0974/FUL - Zurich House, East Park, Southgate, Crawley pdf icon PDF 352 KB

To consider report PES/281 (a) of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services

 

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/281 (a) of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services which proposed as follows:

 

Demolition of existing building and erection of a new part 3 and part 4 storey building comprising 56 apartments (30 x one bed and 26 x two bed) together with 56 car parking spaces and landscaping (amended description and amended plans received)

 

Councillors Boxall, Jaggard, Sharma, Stone and Tarrant declared they had visited the site.

 

The Group Manager (Development Management) provided a verbal summation of the application and provided the following updates:

 

·         The following clerical corrections, relating to plans and drawings in the report, should be made to reflect the following:

-       Plan 051603-ESH-P11 related to the proposed 1st floor plan

-       Plan 051603-ESH-P12 related to the proposed 2nd floor plan

-       Plan 051603-ESH-P13 related to the proposed 3rd floor plan

·         An additional drawing relating to the parking layout had been submitted.  It was confirmed that the layout did not alter the design.  Further illustrative material had also been submitted to support the revised application such as coloured elevations.

·         Two further objections had been received since publication of the report:

-       One raised no additional objections to those outlined in the report

-       The second representation included video clips of parking in East Park.  The video had been viewed and forwarded to West Sussex County Council (WSCC), although it was not possible to display them on the website.  Following consideration of the video clips, WSCC had stated that the information did not change WSCC’s opinion and recommendation on the application.

 

Mr Con O’Driscoll, Councillor Pickett (Ward Councillor for Southgate) and Councillor Jones (Cabinet Member for Housing), addressed the Committee in objection to the application, whilst Mr Philip Allin, the Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application.  Many of the objections raised reflected those detailed in the report, including parking issues, refuse collection and the potential impact on the character of the area.  In addition, there was also concern expressed regarding the consultation process relating to the application.

 

The Committee then considered the application.  The Committee discussed the issues arising, including the comments raised by the speakers and concerns raised by objectors.  In response to issues and concerns raised, the Group Manager (Development Management):

 

·         Advised that the development was a housing allocation and accorded with the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2015-2030.

·         Emphasised that the design of an application did not necessary need to match the surrounding buildings and that in addition the Planning Inspector had identified the location as a ‘transitional site’.  The site was not within close proximity to the local conservation areas and these would not be harmed by the development.

·         Confirmed that the application site was not located within the controlled parking zone, and as such residents of the development would therefore not be entitled to apply for parking permits.

·         Stated that visitor parking to the site was included within the parking standard against which the application was assessed, and that the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Planning Application CR/2017/0997/OUT - Town Hall, The Boulevard, Northgate, Crawley pdf icon PDF 3 MB

To consider report PES/281 (b)of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services.

 

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT.

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/281 (b) of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services which proposed as follows:

 

A hybrid application comprising:

(a)  detailed application for demolition of the existing council offices and civic hall, and erection of a replacement town hall, offices and a public square, and associated access, car parking, landscaping and ancillary works.

(b)  outline application for residential development comprising up to 182 units including commercial space with details of access, all other matters reserved (layout, scale, landscaping and appearance).

 

Councillors Boxall, Fiveash, Irvine, Jaggard, Sharma, Skudder, P Smith, Stone, Tarrant and Thomas declared they had visited the site.

 

The Principal Planning Officer provided a verbal summation of the application and the following updates:

 

Replacement Condition 1:

i) Details of the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale (hereinafter called 'the reserved matters') in relation to the Block B development comprising up to 182 residential units including commercial space shown on drawing 764-CPA-ZA-SK-010 Rev P1 submitted on 17 May 2018 shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before any development on the Block B site begins and the development shall be carried out as approved.

ii) Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission.

REASON: To enable the Local Planning Authority to control the development in detail and to comply with Section 92 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990.

 

Replacement Condition 21:

Notwithstanding the plans hereby approved, a scheme for proposed signage, artwork and other features to create a clear and legible environment for users of the development and to create a strong civic identity for the Town Hall element of the scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented in full prior to the first occupation of the Town Hall and office building hereby approved and shall be maintained as such thereafter unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: To enable the Local Planning Authority to control the development in detail to achieve a user friendly environment, to define a clear civic character to the Town Hall element of the scheme and to achieve a development of visual quality in accordance with Policy CH3 of the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2015-2030 and the Urban Design Supplementary Planning Document.

 

Replacement Condition 31:

Within three months of the first occupation of the Town Hall and office building (Block A) hereby approved, a copy of a post-construction report, verifying that the development has achieved the minimum Energy and Water standards for BREEAM ‘Excellent’, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: In the interests of sustainable design and efficient use of water resources in accordance with policies ENV6 and ENV9 of the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2015-2030.

 

Mr Charles Crane addressed the Committee in objection to the application, whilst Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Proposed Deed of Variation to Planning Application CR/2016/0662/FUL Relating to Nos. 11-13 The Boulevard, Crawley pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To consider report PES/299 of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services.

 

Minutes:

The Principal Planning Officer introduced report PES/299 of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services, which set out proposed changes to the completed Section 106 Agreement prepared pursuant to planning permission CR/2016/00662/FUL and the reasons for the proposed amendments.  Those changes, which were not minor variations to the legal agreement, required the approval of the Planning Committee.

 

The proposed changes related to the delivery of affordable housing within the proposed development at Nos. 11-13 The Boulevard.  The changes were necessary to secure appropriate and acceptable affordable housing provision on the site, taking account of the current planning application (CR/2017/0997/OUT) on the adjoining Town Hall site which was considered earlier in the meeting (minute 6 refers).

 

RESOLVED

 

That the making of a Deed of Variation, to reflect the changes set out in Paragraph 5.1 to report PES/299, be approved.

8.

Planning Application CR/2018/0205/ADV - Queens Square, Northgate, Crawley pdf icon PDF 202 KB

To consider report PES/281 (c)of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services.

 

RECOMMENDATION to CONSENT.

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/281 (c) of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services which proposed as follows:

 

Advertisement consent for the erection of 1 x internally illuminated free standing digital sign.

 

Councillors Boxall, Jaggard, P Smith, Stone and Tarrant declared they had visited the site.

 

The Principal Planning Officer provided a verbal summation of the application and advised that an amended condition on illuminance levels was recommended as follows:

 

Amended Condition (automatic dimming feature)

The advertisement hereby approved shall be operated at all times with an automatic dimming feature which adjusts levels of illuminance to take account of variations in natural lighting conditions to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.  The level of illuminance shall not exceed 2,500 cd/m2 at any time.

REASON: In the interests of visual amenity and in accordance with Policy CH3 of the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2015-2030, the Urban Design Supplementary Planning Document and the West Sussex County Council Illuminated Signs Standing Advice.

 

The Committee then considered the application.  In response to issues and concerns raised the Principal Planning Officer:

·         Acknowledged the need to be mindful about additional street furniture gradually cluttering up the newly renovated Queens Square and stated that officers did not consider that this single digital sign would create visual cluttering.

·         Did not envisage that the digital sign would create a significant physical obstruction taking account of other street furniture in the square.

 

RESOLVED

 

Consent, subject to the conditions set out in report PES/281 (c) and the additional condition above.

9.

Planning Application CR/2018/0229/TPO - 13 Keymer Road, Southgate, Crawley pdf icon PDF 166 KB

To consider report PES/281 (d)of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services.

 

RECOMMENDATION to CONSENT.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/281 (d) of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services which proposed as follows:

 

Oak - reduce height and crown radius by 1.5m to appropriate growth points.

 

Councillor Tarrant declared she had visited the site.

 

The Group Manager (Development Management) provided a verbal summation of the application.

 

The Committee then considered the application.

 

RESOLVED

 

Consent, subject to the conditions set out in report PES/281 (d).