Democracy in Crawley

How decisions are made and who represents you

Agenda item

Planning Application CR/2022/0503/FUL - 1-19 (odds) Crompton Way, Northgate, Crawley

To consider report PES/410bof the Head of Economy and Planning.

 

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered report PES/410b of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

 

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 3 no. buildings for use class B8 including details of access, servicing, landscaping and boundary treatments, and associated infrastructure and earthworks (amended description).

 

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

 

The Group Manager (Development Management) provided a verbal summation of the application, which sought permission for the construction of one large building split into three separate units for commercial use within the Manor Royal Business District.  The Officer updated the Committee that, since the publication of the report, one amendment to a condition and one additional condition were required as follows:

·       Amended condition 4: No part of the development shall be first occupied until the vehicular access serving the development has been constructed in accordance with plans and details submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

·       Additional condition 30: Prior to the first occupation of any unit, the package of mitigation measures, as detailed in the KAM Costing for Showers Document dated V2 Jan 23, shall be implemented in full, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

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 and to accord with the air quality mitigation contained within the submitted Emissions Mitigation Statement provided by TRC dated November 2022.

 

It was also highlighted that the amount of Manor Royal contribution stated in paragraph 5.51 of the report was incorrect, so this figure was to be amended.  The Officer then gave details of the various relevant planning considerations as set out in the report.

 

Joshua Mellor, the agent, spoke in support of the application.  Matters raised included:

·       The proposed development was for storage or distribution use, which was a supported use within the Manor Royal Business District and would enhance the role and function of the area.

·       The applicant had worked closely with the Council’s Planning Officers to make positive changes to the design and landscaping of the proposals.

·       Water neutrality and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating were achieved through energy-saving means such as water-efficient fittings, PV panels, and heat pumps.

 

The Committee then considered the application.  Committee members raised queries regarding the proposed parking and access at the site, to which the Planning Officer provided clarification.  It was confirmed that the creation of new accesses along the south edge of the site would not cause any loss of on-street parking as there were currently double yellow lines along that section of Crompton Way.  A further concern was raised regarding a shortfall of lorry parking spaces at each of the three units.  The Officer clarified that the precise layout of the car park was a decision for the future tenant so was subject to change, however the over-provision of car parking spaces at Units 1 and 3 ensured that there was sufficient vehicle parking in total.  In general, the proposed plans would rationalise the existing parking arrangements, and there had been no objection from West Sussex County Council as the Highways Authority. 

 

A concern was raised regarding the potential presence of asbestos in the existing buildings.  The Officer confirmed that the contaminated land specialist had requested a detailed site investigation report which would include an asbestos assessment, which was secured as part of condition 3.

 

RESOLVED

 

Delegate the decision to permit to the Head of Economy and Planning, subject to the conclusion of a consultation period on the Appropriate Assessment with Natural England, the conclusion of the Section 106 Legal Obligation/Agreement, and subject to the conditions set out in report PES/410b (as amended) and the following additional condition:

30.  Prior to the first occupation of any unit, the package of mitigation measures, as detailed in the KAM Costing for Showers Document dated V2 Jan 23, shall be implemented in full, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

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 and to accord with the air quality mitigation contained within the submitted Emissions Mitigation Statement provided by TRC dated November 2022.

 

Supporting documents: