Agenda item

The proposal before Members sought a twelve month extension to complete the development attached to planning permission P0115.14. The original permission had anticipated that the material required for the development could be imported over a ten week period, with an additional two weeks required for engineering and profiling. In the interests of ensuring the completion of the development, and the site’s timely restoration, condition 8 of the permission granted, limited the engineering operations approved to a six month period which had expired on 27 October 2015.

In addition to the extension the application sought to vary the current permitted hours of operation. The applicant sought the following hours of operation:

·         08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Friday;

·         08:00 -12:00 on Saturdays;

·         No times on Sundays and Bank/Public Holidays.

Members noted that the application had been called in by Councillor Linda Van den Hende as it was considered that the proposed change in hours of operation would result in a loss of amenity to nearby residential properties. In addition objection had been raised to the additional 12 month period of completion because the extension would prolong the unsightly appearance of the site.

In accordance with public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant’s representative.

The objector commented that the original plans that were submitted lacked clarity and that the applicant had not detailed any reason for the application. The objector commented that poor planning was the reason for completion of only 30% of the work to date. The objector also commented that lack of materials indicated lack of planning and this had had nothing to do with the weather. The objector was also of the view that any extension granted to the dusty and noisy work on the site would be an inconvenience to neighbours.

In response, the applicant’s representative commented that the applicant had found it difficult to obtain the right clay to cap the site and had been hampered by the wet summer. All works carried out to date had been supervised by planning officers. The applicant had also requested a variation of hours as other developers had been allowed to start work earlier and this restriction had not helped. The applicant wished to ensure the work was completed as soon as possible.

With its agreement Councillor Van den Hende addressed the Committee.

Councillor Van den Hende commented that the summer had been one of the driest on record so it was difficult to see how the development had been delayed by a wet summer. With regard to the request to vary the hours this would adversely affect the neighbouring property but also the residents at the end of Bramble Lane. Councillor Van den Hende also commented that it was not necessary for the applicant to keep heavy equipment on the site if it was not working. Councillor Van den Hende concluded by commenting that if wet weather was a key factor perhaps conditions could be applied allowing work in the drier spring and summer months and suspending operations in the wetter months.

During a brief debate Members discussed the use of bonds to encourage applicants to complete developments within the time limits specified. Discussion was also had regarding the other options available to the Council should the applicant fail to complete development within the time limits set.

Officers advised that they would look at the issue of bonds and report to a future meeting of the Committee.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as set out in the report with the exception of condition 5 which should be amended to read ‘Operations in connection with the development hereby approved shall only take place between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, and between 8.00am and 12.00pm on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays/Public Holidays’.