Agenda item

To consider report PES/458bof the Head of Economy and Planning.

RECOMMENDATION to PERMIT

The Committee considered report PES/458b of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

Redevelopment of the site for three commercial buildings – Unit 1 (Class B2 Use), Units 2 and 3 (Class B8 Use) and associated servicing, parking and landscaping.

Councillors Ali, Charatan, Jaggard and Nawaz declared they had visited the site.

The Acting Group Manager (Development Management) provided a verbal summation of the application, which sought permission for the demolition of the existing buildings on the site and the subsequent redevelopment of the site by the construction of 3 separate commercial units, as now amended. The proposed Unit 1 would be used for Class B2 - general industrial and the proposed Units 2 and 3 would be used for Class B8 - storage and distribution. 

The Officer updated the Committee that, since the publication of the report discussions regarding water neutrality were continuing which could lead to recommended changes relating to Conditions 4 and 32.

Condition 4 currently restricted the hours of operation to unit 1 and the Applicant was seeking to demonstrate that the site would remain water neutral even if unit 1 operated on a 24hr/day basis.  Further information had been submitted and was being assessed.  If subsequently agreed with Natural England this would remove the need for this Condition and would result in an amendment to Condition 32.

In terms of Conditions 4 and 32, the Committee was requested to grant delegated authority to the Head of Economy and Planning, if appropriate, to delete Condition 4, and amend the documents referred to in Condition 32, subject to the conclusion of consultation and agreement with Natural England.

Amended Conditions

That the Committee was requested to grant delegated authority to the Head of Economy and Planning to:

·         Delete Condition 4, if appropriate, following satisfactory appropriate assessment and consultation with Natural England that the applicant can demonstrate water neutrality on the basis of 24 hour per day operation of Unit 1 and

·         Amend the documents referred to in Condition 32, subject to the satisfactory conclusion and consultation with Natural England.

The Officer then drew the Committee’s attention to the first pages of the report which identified the plans and drawings which had been considered as part of the application. The Committee was advised that amendments to the following drawing references were required:

·         Drawing numbers CBC 0001 ‘Proposed Elevations Unit 3’ 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2321 ‘Site Sections As Proposed’ and 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2340 ‘Typical Sections As Proposed’ had been updated and superseded by drawing 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2340 ‘Typical Sections – As Proposed’ and could therefore be deleted from the list of approved drawings.

·         The following drawing numbers would be deleted: 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2900, 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2901, 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2902 and 19032-HNW-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-2903

It was explained that the Committee was recommended to delegate the decision to permit the application to the Head of Economy and Planning subject to the recommendation in the report and the above changes. The Officer then gave details of the various relevant planning considerations as set out in the report.

Rory Joyce, the agent (Brunel Planning) spoke on behalf of the applicant, in support of the application. Matters raised included:

·         The proposal would enhance the core economic function and support continued growth of Manor Royal.

·         Each phase would be able to be operated successfully within the overall site and be used for world-leading research, development, and manufacturing.

·         It would also include enhanced landscaping and provide bio-diversity net-gain, a BREEAM excellent rating and be water neutral.

Dee Mathieson, spoke on behalf of Elekta Limited in support of the application. Matters raised included:

·         The Crawley campus was the largest centre in the world.

·         The proposal would provide a large local, employment opportunity within the town.

·         Application would be key to continue manufacturing, designing, researching for better cancer treatment in Crawley.

Committee members the following points during the discussion:

·         Clarification was sought as to the lorry parking provision.  It was confirmed this was considered to be acceptable for the proposed use of unit 1 as it met the specific needs of the end user and did include a Travel Plan, sustainable transport options, cycle parking provision and EV ducting. Whilst Elekta could vacate the building in the future, any potential new occupier would be aware of the parking provision before taking the unit. Units 2 and 3 fully met the Council’s parking standards.  

·         Following a query from a Committee member regarding the usage for units 2 and 3, it was heard they would be for B8 use (storage and distribution).

·         Clarity was obtained about the relationship with the Premier Inn Hotel and potential sensitivity to noise. However, it was not considered that any significant disturbance would be caused.

RESOLVED

Delegate the decision to permit the application to the Head of Economy and Planning subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the required Habitats Regulations consultation with Natural England, the conclusion of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure works access, Travel Plan and Monitoring Fee of £3500, Employment and Skills Plan, Air Quality mitigation measures on-site to a value of £33,096, the conditions and informatives set out in report PES/458b (including amended/deleted conditions as appropriate)

Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Chair took the opportunity to thank the Committee for its work during the year and wished all Councillors well and good luck in their future endeavours.  All Officers involved in the Planning Committee were also thanked for their support throughout the municipal year.