Agenda item

Report attached

The report before members concerned an application for a mixed use development comprising of a retail store on the ground floor with five flats over the first and second floors. The provision for on-site parking comprised of five car spaces for the flats and eleven car spaces for the retail store. The proposal included the provision of a new service lay-by off Suttons Lane.

Members noted that nine additional letters of representation and a petition had been received.

Members also noted that the application had been called in by Councillor Ray Morgon on the grounds ofthe impact on parking in the local area, visual and noise impact and delivery arrangements.

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

The objector commented that there were strong local objections to the opening of a new supermarket because it would be detrimental to existing businesses. The objector stated that the proposed use would result in increased traffic and noise and disturbance compared to the previous use. The objector also commented that the report before members had been completed before the close of the public consultation meaning that the report was not accurate. 

The applicant commented that the application was policy compliant and catered for local needs. The applicant also confirmed that deliveries to the supermarket would be made by smaller vehicles and not HGVs and that all deliveries would be carried out with respect for neighbouring properties. The applicant also noted the creation of a new vehicle loading bay.

With its agreement Councillor Ray Morgon addressed the Committee.

Councillor Morgon commented that there was some limited support in the local area for the proposed development but that the vast majority of people strongly objected to the proposal.  Councillor Morgon also commented that the proposal would result in parking problems in local streets. Councillor Morgan raised safety concerns over the access / egress arrangement to the site, raising concerns over restricted site lines when the loading bay is in use.  Councillor Morgon advised that he wished to see a restriction on delivery hours to protect neighbouring resident’s amenity.

During the debate members received clarification on the size of the entrance to the site and on boundary treatment.  Members also discussed the parking arrangements for the site and the proximity of the site to the neighbouring nursing home. Members also gave consideration to the arrangements for deliveries to the new retail store including size of delivery vehicles and delivery times.

Members noted that the development would be liable for a Mayoral CIL payment of £17,680.08 and RESOLVED to delegate to the Head of Regulatory Services to grant planning permission subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Legal Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), and to include revised/additional conditions to:

·         Control / limit weight and length of delivery vehicles serving the store to a maximum of 18 tonnes/11m with specific reference made to MOT descriptors.

·         Parking management scheme to prevent misuse (including commuters) of shopper parking spaces.

·         Scheme to prevent any other use of dedicated residential parking spaces.

·         Delivery times 7am to 22.00 Monday to Saturday and 8am to 22.00 Sundays and Public Holidays.

The vote for the resolution was carried by 7 votes to 3 with 1 abstention.

Councillors Tebbutt, Ford and Durant voted against the resolution to grant planning permission.

Councillor McGeary abstained from voting.