Council and democracy
Home > Council and Democracy > Decision details
Decision Maker: Joint Development Control Committee - Cambridge Fringes
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Councillor Van de Wayer arrived late;
he took part in the discussion on this item but did not vote.
The Committee received a
presentation from the Senior Planner regarding a development by Hill
Residential Ltd on Plot M3 – Land between Madingley Road
and Huntingdon Junction. All members of the committee were able to vote on this
item.
Jamie Wilding agent for the applicant
addressed the Committee in support of the application.
In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planner and New Neighbourhoods Development Manager said the following:
i.
As a result of interest in
fire safety after the Grenfell Tower incident, the Outline Fire Strategy Report
which was prepared by Affinity Fire Engineering to inform the scheme design was
read out. ‘The fire strategy for M3 was a ‘Stay Put’ strategy
whereby residents would remain protected within their individual apartments
until such time as the fire brigade initiated a phased evacuation. Each apartment was compartmentalised with
floors & walls achieving 60/60/60 fire resistance. Protected corridors
within the apartments achieved 30/30/30 fire resistance. Each apartment will be
fitted with a fire detection and alarm system, designed and installed in
accordance with British Standard BS 5839-6 (3). In addition an
automatic fire sprinkler system would be installed to each apartment in
accordance with the requirements of BS 9251 (4).’
ii.
The Quality Panel had also
questioned whether the natural light level in the lower apartments was
satisfactory. An Environment Modelling Assessment had therefore been undertaken
and resulted in a design reconfiguration. The Environmental Health Officer was
now satisfied with light levels in each property.
iii.
Most of the flats were dual
aspect and all floors had both stair and lift access.
iv.
The Cycling Strategy
provided a good level of provision. At present there were no prescriptive
standards outlining the gradient of ramps so the same incline as standard
stairs had been used. There would also be level cycle access at the north entrance
of the building. Revised plans had addressed the movement of doors so that they
do not contravene cycling standards.
v.
Sheffield cycle stands
would be installed.
vi.
Disabled refuge sites in
case of a fire would be outlined in the fire strategy. There would be a manned
porter’s lodge so the site management team would negotiate and implement the
fire strategy and evacuation.
vii.
The offsite visitor parking
map outlined the parking allocation. The parking would be regulated and 3
disabled spaces had been provided at the front of the building.
viii.
The gallery area would be
for pedestrian access only. The principle of accessibility for vehicles such as
ambulances had been considered in the outline assessment by a Highways Officer
because it is a fundamental requirement of any new development.
ix.
Confirmed that it would not
be appropriate to consider the details of the Ridgeway cycle route or its wider
impact during this application.
x.
As long as the minimum
requirement of disabled parking spaces was satisfied, the extra provision for
this application was not in our control. However, officers will bring an update
on disabled parking provision on a site wide basis to Committee with the next
NWC reserved matters item.
xi.
Acoustic Modelling had been
undertaken by an Environmental Health Officer and an acoustic specialist. The
noise accommodation report accounted for a variety of noise sources advising
that mitigation steps in terms of room design had been taken.
xii.
Confirmed that it was not
the role of Planning to assess the degree of fire
resistance/ compliance with building regulations and fire regulations of the
material of external panels, they only considered their design. As such,
officers could not comment on whether the panels were made of the same material
as those used on Grenfell Tower.
xiii.
The type of toughened glass
being used for the windows facing the sports field was considered to be
satisfactory in terms of the Sport England feedback and risk of ball collision
with windows.
xiv.
Waste disposal would be
overseen by the building’s management team. The overall site waste strategy is
one of the biggest and advanced underground waste strategies in the country so
issues surrounding waste provision for people with disabilities and fly tipping
would be accounted for as part of the overall management regime but also in
terms of the management of this residential block which included porterage
arrangements.
xv.
The University/developer
would be responsible for management access to the building and parking
allocation for visitors such as health professional, carers
and doctors.
xvi.
A planning condition
restriction had been implemented to ensure amplified music would not be played
past 23:00.
xvii.
In response to Councillor Harford’s
request, it was agreed to insert an additional informative into the recommendation
advising of the need to provide a site specific Construction Method Statement
under the outline planning approval. Councillor Harford’s
concerns about dust nuisance and any
increase in the size of the bund should also be addressed by informative.
Resolved (by 12 votes to 0 with 3 abstentions) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.
DECISION: APPROVE as officer recommendation as set out on Page 52 of the Agenda, with additional informative advising of the need to provide a site specific Construction Method Statement under the outline planning approval and to highlight the issues highlighted about dust nuisance and any increase in the size of the bund.
Report author: Sharon Brown
Publication date: 26/07/2017
Date of decision: 21/06/2017
Decided at meeting: 21/06/2017 - Joint Development Control Committee - Cambridge Fringes
Accompanying Documents: