Agenda item

To consider report PES/378bof the Head of Economy and Planning.

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT.

The original report and minutes of the prior consideration of this application are attached as appendices A and B to this item respectively.

The Committee considered report PES/378b of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

Demolition of existing building and associated structures and redevelopment for storage and distribution warehouse within use class B8.

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

The Group Manager (Development Management) provided a verbal summation of the application, which the Committee previously resolved to permit on 20 July 2021.  The application had since been affected by Natural England’s position statement on water neutrality and therefore required further consideration.  The report set out the proposed development’s estimated water usage which was considered, via assessment, to be lower than that of the previous site occupant.  This was demonstrated through a Water Neutrality Statement and an Energy and Sustainability Statement,and assessment of water usage records, building specifications, and the existing and proposed floorplans.  An appropriate assessment document was being drawn up by officers for consideration by Natural England.

The Committee heard that since it had first considered the application, the applicant had used the delay to provide further information which removed the need for pre-commencement conditions.  This information regarded proposed air quality mitigation measures as well as a number of new plans and documents, which ­were agreed to by all relevant consultees.  There were also minor changes to the design and appearance of the building.

The Officer updated the Committee that, since the publication of the report, further information had required that minor amendments be made to conditions 6 and 27. 

Eric Hall, the agent (TDH Estates) on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  Matters raised included:

·       The reasons for the delays in the process of granting planning permission.  The intended operator of the proposed development (Hermes) was fully committed to the scheme, which was otherwise ready to progress.

·       Job creation, both during the construction period and once the warehouse becomes fully operational, which would also greatly increase the occupier’s capacity for parcel delivery.

·       A reduction in water demand and the BREEAM ‘excellent’ rated environmental performance of the scheme.

The Committee then considered the application.  Following a query regarding the estimated water consumption at the proposed development, the Officer explained that the calculation was modelled on maximum occupancy of the building and 24 hour use of a vehicle wash system, but this was an overestimate that represented the highest possible water consumption as it was unlikely that the wash system would be in constant use.  As there was a known occupier for the development, details of the specific wash system had already been provided so calculations of its estimated water usage were more precise than those of the two similar applications on the agenda.

A Committee member praised the proposed air quality mitigation measures and in doing so asked the Officer for clarification on the total mitigation figure required, which was confirmed as £47,000, and the actual mitigation figure to be provided, which was confirmed as £54,700.

RESOLVED

Delegate the decision to permitthe application to the Head of Economy and Planning, subject to the conclusion of consultation with Natural England, the conclusion of a Section 106 Agreement, and the conditions set out in report PES378b including amended conditions 6 and 27 as follows:

6. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the Air Quality Assessment in particular Table 22 - Mitigation of Construction Activities, dated July 2021, The Air Quality Mitigation document dated 7^th November 2021 and drawing P417 rev B Air Quality Mitigation Measures, submitted with the application which must be implemented during the construction of the development.

REASON: To ensure that the development does not have a negative impact on Air Quality in accordance with Policy ENV12 of the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2015 - 2030.

27. Prior to first occupation of the building hereby permitted, the water efficiency measures including the physical fittings and vehicle wash system as specified in the Technical Note 21171-WRC-TN-02 Rev C03 prepared by Water Environment (as set out in the accompanying documents listed in paragraph 1.5 and 1.6 of this note) shall be implemented in full.

REASON: Taking account of the Natural England Position Statement on water neutrality received on 14 September 2021 and to ensure that the development does not cause an adverse impact upon protected habitats in the Arun Valley, including the Amberley Wild Brooks Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Pulborough Brooks SSSI and the Arun Valley Special Protection Area/Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar sites, in breach of the Conservation of Species and Habitats Regulations 2017.